Swarovski Foundation announced as UK for UNHCR Emergency Fund partner to support rapid response to global displacement 

23 June 2026, London – UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner, has announced Swarovski Foundation as a new Emergency Fund partner, marking the next step in a long-standing collaboration between the two organisations.

Swarovski Foundation has supported UNHCR’s work since 2018, providing vital funding to emergency appeals for Afghanistan, Ukraine, Pakistan, Sudan, Türkiye and Syria. This new partnership highlights the Foundation’s extended commitment to refugees, including a €100,000 annual contribution to UK for UNHCR’s Emergency Fund.

Sabira Rouf, Interim Director of the Swarovski Foundation, said: “At the Swarovski Foundation, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live with dignity, safety and hope. As displacement reaches record levels worldwide, flexible funding is critical to ensuring rapid support when crises strike. We are proud to deepen our partnership with UK for UNHCR through the Emergency Fund, helping vital assistance reach refugees and displaced communities when it matters most.”

Flexible funding through the Emergency Fund is critical to UNHCR’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies. With over 117 million people forcibly displaced globally, and emergencies increasing in scale, pace and complexity, unrestricted funding enables teams to act quickly and remain agile, getting aid where it is needed most and sustaining assistance in underfunded and protracted emergencies.

Swarovski Foundation was incorporated in 2013 and invests in charitable organisations across three focus areas: Equity, Creativity and Water. Over the past several years, Swarovski Foundation’s support has helped to deliver lifesaving aid across multiple emergencies, as well as longer term support for refugees to rebuild their lives. Notably, Swarovski Foundation were the first organisation in the UK to donate to the Afghanistan Emergency Appeal in 2021. UNHCR went on to provide emergency support to over one million people.

At the end of August 2025, a devastating 6 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, killing hundreds of people and destroying entire communities. The support of Emergency Fund partners like Swarovski Foundation enabled UNHCR and partners to distribute 13,500 relief items to 34,000 people across nine villages in Kunar. © UNHCR/Oxygen Media Empire

Emma Cherniavsky, CEO of UK for UNHCR, said: “We are thrilled that Swarovski Foundation has extended their generous support of our work and become a valued Emergency Fund partner. For millions of refugees around the world, flexible funding is a lifeline. It is difficult to predict where the next emergency will strike, but when it does, the support of partners like Swarovski Foundation ensures that UNHCR is ready to respond quickly wherever the needs are greatest.”

As global humanitarian needs continue to outpace available funding, partnerships such as this are essential for UNHCR to respond both immediately and sustainably. Today’s announcement reflects a shared commitment between UK for UNHCR and the Swarovski Foundation to stand with refugees and ensure that those affected by conflict and persecution are not left behind. 

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Notes to Editors   

For additional information, please contact Isabelle Gius, [email protected], +44 7304 083306.  

Flexible funding allows UNHCR to launch an emergency response within 72 hours of a crisis – delivering shelter, clean water, cash assistance and protection services to people forced to flee. Flexible funding also plays a key role in maintaining preparedness, supporting global logistics hubs, early warning systems and trained emergency response teams ready to deploy at short notice. In the first quarter of 2026, the main country operations receiving flexible funding were Lebanon, Afghanistan and Uganda. 

About UK for UNHCR    

UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. unrefugees.org.uk       

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org      

UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).     

About Swarovski Foundation  

Established in 2013, the Swarovski Foundation brings focus to Swarovski’s historical commitment to philanthropy by supporting charitable organisations and initiatives to achieve positive social and environmental impact.  

The Swarovski Foundation exists to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality. In the last decade, the Swarovski Foundation has supported over 2 million people in 93 countries, partnering with 85 organisations and providing critical support following 26 global emergencies. 

Focusing on three key areas – Equity, Creativity and Water – the Swarovski Foundation drives impact through its signature initiatives: the Action Fund, Creatives For Our Future, Waterschool. Through these initiatives, the Swarovski Foundation advances the Sustainable Development Goals, working alongside partners and communities to create lasting change.  

To find out more, visit: swarovskifoundation.org