During a UNHCR event last December, the Postcode Lottery Group handed over a cheque for over €1.7 million to UNHCR for the charity’s project supporting Venezuelan refugees.

Picture: Jean Marie Ishimwe (UNHCR) receiving a cheque from Judith Lingeman (Postcode Lottery Group).

The €1.7 million funding is giving children the chance to go back to school, it’s providing shelter and accommodation, it’s helping restore communities, run vital projects and is making a difference to the lives of millions of vulnerable people.

International affairs director, Judith Lingeman says: “Surprising the UNHCR team with this golden envelope and cheque, at the end of an intense few days, was a hugely positive and memorable moment."

"We were lucky to meet so many incredible people with an undeniable sense of warmth that united everyone in their efforts to make the world a better place.”

114 million displaced people globally
The total number of people in the world forced to flee has doubled since 2016. There are now over 114 million forcibly displaced people globally – that’s one in every 200 people.

These staggering figures were announced at the UNHCR Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, last December. The forum is the world’s largest gathering to address the urgent challenges and support the long term and lasting solutions needed for the millions of people forced to leave their homes.

Over 4,200 attendees from 165 countries, including Postcode Lottery Group international affairs director, Judith Lingeman, attended the forum.

Charity partner
UNHCR, which protects the rights of refugees, has been a charity partner of the Postcode Lotteries since 2002 and is supported by players in the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. Together, players have raised over €53 million for UNHCR.

Postcode Lottery Group’s Judith Lingeman and UNHCR journalism programme mentee, Jean Marie Ishimwe came together to talk about the positive impact of flexible funding for organisations supporting and working with refugees.