Since the beginning of 2022, there has been a massive increase in the number of refugees, migrants, and returnees travelling northwards through Central America.

Many people travel through the Darién Gap, a dense and treacherous jungle on the land border between Colombia and Panama. The journey lasts seven to fourteen days and is perilous. Along the way, people face violence, dangerous wild animals, a lack of food and water and hostile weather. Some people are tragically killed or die from diseases due to the harsh environmental conditions.

Once through the jungle, migrants can access essential services at HSPs run by the Panamanian Red Cross. Those arriving tend to require medical care, hydration, and psychosocial support. Many of them are victims of aggression and robbery, and require cash, clothing, shoes and mobile phones to continue their journeys.

The IFRC and Red Cross Societies in the Central America region run many HSPs along this migration route. For more information, see our Emergency Appeal supporting people on the move through Central America.

And click here to read stories from some of the people who have crossed through the Darién (available in English and Spanish).

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.

Since July 2021, the IFRC has been 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 called Ocean Viking.

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.

Since setting up this HSP, IFRC teams have helped save lives and provided essential services to thousands of people.

More information:

• Click here to read more about our response and humanitarian needs in the Central Mediterranean. 
• Click here to read all press releases and articles about this emergency.
• Click here to see real-time data on the operation—including the number of people rescued to date.

Humanitarian Service Points have been a key part of our Ukraine and impacted countries response since the escalation of the conflict in February 2022.

National Societies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries have all set up HSPs to help the millions of people who have fled to seek safety elsewhere. For instance:

• At the train station in Keleti, Hungary, the Hungarian Red Cross set up a HSP to welcome arrivals from Ukraine. There, they provide soup and hot drinks, sandwiches and fruit, as well as hygiene items and baby care products for people fleeing the conflict.
• In Uzhhorod, West Ukraine, the Ukrainian Red Cross is providing displaced people with medical and pharmaceutical services, social assistance and psychological consultations. Staff and volunteers also offer hygiene items, warm clothes, shoes and children’s toys for those who need them. Read more here.
• In Ubl'a, Slovakia, the Slovak Red Cross set up a HSP to provide a safe, warm place for people on the move from Ukraine to rest while they plan their onwards journeys. There's a child-friendly area where children can play, as well as free WiFi. People can also access first aid, psychosocial support, food and advice on transportation.

The IFRC is providing tailored guidance to these National Societies on the implementation of their HSPs, as well as promoting the transition from HSPs to long-term and sustainable support for displaced people as the crisis continues.

For more information, visit our Ukraine and impacted countries response emergency page.