Principles and Main Components of Migrant Search and Rescue Operations

Migrant Search and Rescue (SAR) actions are key measures to avoid the loss of lives in maritime, desert and other dangerous migration zones. The aim is to guarantee the effective protection of migrants in situations of vulnerability and distress, by activating, for example, actions of assistance carried out by state authorities, public international organizations and NGOs, that should intervene in support of migrants and in defense of their human rights. The nature of SAR missions, resource constraints, legal intricacies, and operational risks is such that a structured approach is needed for improving efficiency and effectiveness in meeting these challenges. This policy brief presents the principles of, and trends in, SAR with a special focus on lessons learned from operations in the Mediterranean Sea, the Sahara Desert, and other high-risk regions of migration. It identifies good practice, legal duty, and practical measures to ensure that SAR is consistent with humanitarian principles and international legal obligations. The publication also considers new trends in SAR, including the impact of climate change on migration patterns and the use of new technologies to enhance search and rescue times.