HSP Case Studies

‘Humanitarian Service Points’ (HSPs) are a flagship IFRC approach to providing assistance and protection to migrants and displaced persons both through longer term programmes and in crises. HSPs have been developed by the IFRC Network to overcome the barriers and lack of access to essential services for many migrants and displaced persons.

This global review is a collection of case studies that highlight the variety of HSPs in action around the world, alongside the reflections, insights and lessons they have generated. While they have many things in common, HSPs are strikingly different. The case studies illustrate HSPs providing assistance and protection to asylum seekers, refugees, undocumented migrants, migrants and displaced persons in transit, internally displaced persons and returnees at various stages of their journeys. Significant variety is also seen in the design of HSPs, reflecting the differing needs they serve, from fixed HSPs in key locations (including at ports and borders) to mobile HSPs traversing long distances by land or sea.

While the exact services that HSPs provide differ, core to all of them is the importance placed on maintaining dignity.