Established in 1950, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) became the 10th cosponsor of UNAIDS in June 2004. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. Working in 120 countries and serving some 17 million people, UNHCR is at the forefront of combating HIV among a particularly vulnerable population. Recognizing that HIV prevention is central to the overall protection of refugees, UNHCR is implementing its strategic plan on AIDS and Refugees and has created an HIV/AIDS unit. Together with UNAIDS it is working to produce tools and guidelines for coordinated action against HIV.