The mandate of the UNHCR has evolved since its original aim, particularly now in light of the unprecedented refugee crisis. This essay examines how the UNHCR has alleviated the influxes of refugees in, arguably, the most important hosting countries in Europe and the Middle East. Rooted in the theoretical framework of the UNHCR and looking into domestic refugee relief policies and socioeconomic integration, I will analyze and compare the protracted refugee situations of Syrians fleeing towards neighboring countries or European Union member-states. I conclude that the UNHCR needs to allocate more resources to the protection of urban refugees and unregistered refugees, as well as interact more proactively with actors that are not traditionally duty-holders in international human rights law.