Migration & Refugee Crisis

Every day around the world, people make the difficult decision to leave their homes—and their countries—in pursuit of a safer place to live and hope for a better future. Families migrate for different reasons: conflict, violence, human rights violations, lack of economic prospects, or natural disasters.

Migrants’ journeys are often dangerous. They may lose contact with their families, fall victim to human trafficking or be exploited in informal labor arrangements. According to UNHCR, 1 person is forcibly displaced every two seconds as a result of conflict or persecution. And in recent years, the number of children migrating alone—without parents or guardians—has increased.

As part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross partners with Red Cross and Red Crescent teams to provide aid and hope to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in accordance with our seven fundamental principles.

Helping Refugees Around the World

Our network’s global presence enables us to aid migrants at various stages of their journeys: in countries of origin, transit and destination. The Red Cross and Red Crescent network delivers relief supplies—such as food, water, hygiene kits, baby supplies, clothing and basic medical items—in addition to first aid and medical services, shelter, and comfort to families traumatized by conflict. This work takes place all over the globe—from Africa and Central America to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Red Cross and Red Crescent teams also take on the critical task of reconnecting families separated by international crises via our Restoring Family Links program.

American Red Cross Aids Migrants and Refugees

Since 2011, the American Red Cross has spent or committed more than $2.6 million to support global Red Cross network relief efforts in Syria and neighboring countries, including Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. We have contributed more than $1.2 million towards aid efforts related to migration in Europe, as well. And in Bangladesh—where more than 700,000 people fleeing Rakhine State, Myanmar live in temporary shelters on unstable hillsides—we are prepping families for weather emergencies and training them on first aid. See more at: In Cox’s Bazar, ‘Each and Every Person Here Has Huge Potential.’

Whether on the ground or at sea, our teams deliver help to anyone in need—regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or citizenship status. Read the firsthand account of a Red Cross disaster responder aboard a migrant rescue boat in the Mediterranean Sea.

The American Red Cross lends its expertise in information management and mapping to ensure that our sister Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are not responding independently of each other, but rather, have greater situational awareness of the broader crisis. This allows for informed decision-making at a global level and surge support to overwhelmed local Red Cross and Red Crescent branches.

In the USA: Aiding All Those in Need

Here at home, the American Red Cross helps migrants in a number of ways, including basic aid during domestic disasters, reconnecting families separated by international emergencies, and responding to requests for services from government authorities and other nonprofits assisting the needs of migrants. As a humanitarian organization, we do not turn away anyone in need.

See more info about our work with migrants in the USA here: How Does the American Red Cross Help Migrants?