The United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees was established in 1950 with the intention of helping the millions of European refugees who had fled their homes as a result of the Second World War. It works on the basis of the basic human right to seek asylum. The main goal of UNHCR is to provide safe refuge for ones who have fled violence, war, persecution or disaster at home; its directive has expanded over the years to ensure the protection of all displaced persons, including those who are internally displaced.