Mexico faces widespread violence and organised crime that forces many families from their homes each year. As a country of origin, transit and destination for refugees and migrants alike, hundreds of thousands of people across the country need protection and support.
NRC in Mexico
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is working with displaced people and migrants across Mexico – helping them access emergency support, legal services and protection from violence.
What’s happening in Mexico?
Mexico faces several overlapping displacement and migration crises. Violence linked to organised crime and drug cartels forces many people to flee their homes within the country, while others arrive in Mexico seeking safety from crises elsewhere in the region.
Internal displacement is a serious but underreported crisis. Because Mexico is not formally at war, many displaced families receive limited recognition and support, despite having been forced from their homes by violence, extortion, kidnapping, recruitment and human rights violations.
Migration patterns are also changing. Increased restrictions at the northern border mean that more families are remaining in Mexico rather than continuing towards the United States. For many, returning to their countries of origin is not a safe option. Mexico is one of the countries with the highest numbers of asylum applications in the world, with many people from Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti seeking protection. Overburdened state institutions and organisations are struggling to provide adequate support to everyone in need.
Our response
We’re working with our local partners in the following areas:
- Protection from violence – helping people reduce their exposure to violence and improve their resilience, while supporting communities to recognise protection risks and develop effective self-protection strategies.
- Education – supporting teachers in areas affected by violence and displacement and helping returned and internally displaced children and young people to develop the safe behaviours and social and emotional skills they need to return to and stay in school.
- Information, counselling and legal assistance – providing legal advice on asylum procedures, international protection and guidance to internally displaced persons.
Download the factsheet for NRC in North of Central America and Mexico
Our operations
NRC office established: 2014
Areas of operation: Chiapas, Michoacán and México City
Country Director: Giorgio Lentini
Contact: nrc.ncaym@nrc.no
Our impact
In 2025, we assisted 4,452 people through our programmes in Mexico:
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55Livelihoods and food security
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1,647Protection from violence
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3,376Information, counselling and legal assistance
Note: some people received more than one type of assistance.
