Cash in hand Urban refugees, the right to work and UNHCR's advocacy activities

The UNHCR Policy Development and Evaluation Service (PDES) has released in May 2011 a report called ' Cash in hand Urban Refugees, the Right to work and UNHCR's Advocacy Activities'. As a dispersed population that often lacks secure legal status and access to social services, urban refugees face particular challenges. Urban economies are cash-based, and work is the key livelihoods strategy for refugees in urban settings.  By becoming self-reliant and productive, refugees with the legal right to work can benefit their local communities and host countries in addition to improving their own situations. Urban livelihoods and refugees right to work are therefore priorities for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and advocacy is an essential tool to help its staff to reduce barriers to this right.