This briefing note investigates the different protection risks that face refugees who live outside of camps. These can include the threat of arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment, exploitation, discrimination, inadequate and overcrowded housing, as well as vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence. The brief explains how UNHCR works with communities to build protection strategies and to mitigation protection risks.

UNHCR utilizes a community-based approach to protection; at its’ heart, community-based outreach builds on the skills, capacities and knowledge of the wider community. Close partnership, communication, and cooperation is built through outreach volunteers who have the skills and linguistic abilities to assist their own people in their own language. Read this brief to learn more about how UNHCR develops a community-based approach.