A branch office of UNHCR was opened in Vienna already in 1951, the founding year of UNHCR. This makes UNHCR the longest serving UN organization in Austria.

Still occupied by the Allied Forces at that time, Austria was confronted with a massive refugee problem. UNHCR therefore rendered organizational and financial assistance.

Due to its geographical situation between East and West, Austria was for many decades the most important country for the initial reception of refugees and immigrants in Europe.

Major points we work on at UNHCR in Austria