Global Route-Based Migration Programme
Our Global Route-Based Migration Programme aims to save lives and improve the safety and dignity of migrants, refugees, and other displaced people along dangerous and deadly migratory routes.
About the programme
Across the globe, people on the move—migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced people—make dangerous and difficult journeys in search of safety or a better life. Many face life-threatening risks, including violence, exploitation, and barriers to accessing essential services like food, water, shelter, and health services. Tragically, some people die or go missing.
The Global Route-Based Migration Programme was launched in 2021 to address these challenges, bringing together the strength of the IFRC's humanitarian network to deliver life-saving and essential support and advocate for the safety and dignity of people on the move. The Programme will continue at least until 2030 and address evolving and shifting humanitarian needs along migration routes. The programme implements commitments in the IFRC’s Strategy 2030 and the new Movement Migration Strategy 2024-2030.
Operating across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Americas, the IFRC Network – with its permanent local presence - provides essential humanitarian assistance and protection to people on the move irrespective of who they are, where they come from, or their status.
Programmatic documents and funding requirements for 2025-2030 to be updated soon.
What does the programme focus on?
Improving direct access to support
We provide food, water, shelter, information, connectivity and health services along migration routes, including through Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs).
Strengthening local actors
We are strengthening the capacities of National Societies as local actors to respond effectively to the needs of people on their migration journeys, including through the face-to-face and online HSP training.
Humanitarian diplomacy
We engage in local, regional and global humanitarian diplomacy to promote policies and practices that facilitate assistance and protection for people on the move and uphold their safety and dignity.
Which National Societies are involved?
Africa
There are 17 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in Africa involved in the Global Route-Based Migration Programme.
Americas
There are 23 Red Cross National Societies involved in the Global Route-Based Migration Programme in the Americas.
Europe
There are 16 Red Cross National Societies involved in the Global Route-Based Migration Programme in Europe.
Middle East and North Africa
There are seven Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies involved in the Global Route-Based Migration Programme in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Supporting National Societies
The implementation of the Global Route-Based Migration Programme is supported by nine National Societies.
Our added value
Along a key migration route, an Ecuadoran Red Cross team provides people with quick health check-ups and help getting in touch with family members far away.
Photo: Ecuadoran Red Cross Society
With a Network of 191 National Societies, the IFRC has a permanent presence in nearly every country in the world. This unparalleled reach allows us to respond in real time to the evolving needs of people on the move, wherever they are. We are dedicated to facilitating cross-border collaboration between Red Cross and Red Crescent teams and work towards sharing essential information and continuity of care for those who need it most. The IFRC Network will continue our work and action along migration routes, including the three trans-Mediterranean migration routes, the Atlantic route, the Balkans route, and in the Americas.
Our impact
2 million supported
In 2023 alone, nearly 2 million people were supported by the Global Route-Based Migration Programme.
Service points along the route
Hundreds of Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs) have been established strategically along migration routes to prevent the loss of life and provide vital assistance.
3,400 staff and volunteers trained
Over 3,400 staff and volunteers have been trained to support people on the move.
Looking Ahead: 2025–2030
Guatemalan Red Cross volunteers prepare to welcome people on the move at a humanitarian service point.
Photo: Guatemalan Red Cross Society
As migration dynamics become increasingly complex, the extension of the Global Route-Based Migration Programme affirms the IFRC Network’s commitment to principled humanitarian assistance. Through strengthened coordination and collaboration across borders, we will continue our work to provide safety and dignity to people on the move throughout their journeys.
Saving lives in the Central Mediterranean
Rescue teams from the IFRC and SOS Meditarranee help a man who had just been brought aboard the Ocean Viking rescue vessel in the Central Mediterranean Sea.
Photo: IFRC
The Central Mediterranean migration route from North Africa (primarily Libya, but also Tunisia and Algeria) to Italy is one of the most active and dangerous routes for people crossing to Europe by sea.
The IFRC is operating a Humanitarian Service Point in the Central Mediterranean in partnership with SOS Mediterranée. Together, we're reducing human suffering and preventing loss of life through a fully able-to-assist rescue ship.
SOS Mediterranée focuses on the search and rescue side of the operation, while IFRC teams on-board provide humanitarian assistance (such as health and psychosocial support, food, water and information) to people rescued.
Click here to read more information about this work. And visit IFRC GO, our emergency operations data platform, to see real-time data on the operation—including the number of people rescued to date.