UNHCR in Senegal: From Camp Management to Government Partnership

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) maintains an active presence in Senegal, but its role has undergone a strategic shift. The agency no longer directly manages refugee camps. Instead, it operates under a partnership model with the Government of Senegal.

Current Operational Model

• Funding & Technical Support: UNHCR provides financial resources, expertise, and capacity building to Senegalese authorities and local NGOs.
• Government-Led Management: The Senegalese National Commission for Refugees (CNRS) and line ministries now administer camp coordination, registration, and service delivery.
• Protection & Advocacy: UNHCR monitors protection standards, advocates for refugee rights (access to documentation, education, healthcare), and supports durable solutions (voluntary repatriation, local integration, resettlement).

Context

Senegal hosts refugees primarily from Mauritania (since 1989) and Casamance (internal displacement), plus smaller groups from other West African crises. The transition to government ownership aligns with UNHCR's global "exit strategy" philosophy—building national asylum systems rather than perpetuating parallel humanitarian structures.

For the latest operational updates, consult the UNHCR Senegal country page.