Partnership will focus on the co-development of innovative responses to the refugee crisis
DLA Piper has announced a new partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to develop innovative responses to the global refugee crisis, enhance refugee integration and advocate for impactful, systemic change.
During the first three years, DLA Piper will provide pro bono support worth over $3.7m and contribute financially to the agency's global programmes.
The partnership has been developed in collaboration with UK for UNHCR, an organisation responsible for developing humanitarian partnerships with British corporations that support global relief efforts for refugees.
DLA Piper and UNHCR already have a long-established relationship spanning over ten years. Since 2012, the firm has provided more than 8,500 hours pro bono legal support valued at over USD 3,000,000 to UNHCR. This new phase of the partnership will focus on the co-development of innovative responses to the refugee crisis, including innovative finance models and impact investment.
"We are honoured to enhance our partnership with UNHCR,” said Simon Levine, global co-CEO, DLA Piper. “This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the organisation's work and, ultimately, support displaced people all over the world. The current crisis in Ukraine is just one example of why UNHCR's work is so critical.
"Legal protections are especially important when people's lives are uprooted and they face challenges such as lack of basic shelter, violence, exploitation and restrictions on freedom of movement. As part of this new phase of the partnership, we will be working with UNHCR to support a fairer, more effective system, to develop new approaches and to help foster inclusion as people rebuild their lives."
Emma Cherniavsky, chief executive of UK for UNHCR added: "We greatly value this new partnership with DLA Piper which builds on ten years of valuable support for UNHCR's work. People fleeing conflict and persecution are amongst the most vulnerable people in the world, with many on the front lines of the climate crisis or facing significant barriers to employment, and DLA's partnership will help deliver innovative solutions to support them."
