Humanitarian assistance to migrants irrespective of their status - towards a noncategorical approach

Humanitarian organizations dealing with migrants have long prioritized such people
according to legal and institutional categories, therefore focusing on those fleeing
conflict, violence or persecution. In a departure from this tradition, it was recommended at the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent that the Movement should take an inclusive approach towards addressing the humanitarian dimension of migration, irrespective of the status of the migrants of concern. This article discusses the shift towards such an approach, and how it has been implemented in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ migration policy.