NORTH AMERICA
The United States
In 2025, the United States continues to experience significant humanitarian challenges, notably
at the U.S.-Mexico border and in regions prone to natural disasters. Stringent immigration
policies under the Trump administration have led to a substantial decrease in border crossings,
with February 2025 apprehensions dropping to record lows . However, these policies have also
resulted in thousands of migrants being stranded in Mexico, facing precarious conditions as they
await uncertain opportunities to seek asylum .
Concurrently, various U.S. regions have been battered by severe natural disasters. In January
2025, a rare blizzard struck the Gulf Coast, causing significant disruptions across Louisiana and
Florida. Subsequent storms in February brought devastating floods and tornadoes to the central
and eastern U.S., resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread damage . These events
highlight the pressing need for robust disaster response and recovery efforts to assist affected
communities.
Mexico
Mexico’s susceptibility to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, remains a significant
concern in 2025. On March 5, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck near Salina Cruz in Oaxaca,
highlighting the persistent seismic risks faced by densely populated regions, including Mexico
City. Such events necessitate continuous disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience
efforts to mitigate potential impacts.
In addition to environmental challenges, Mexico’s role as a key transit and destination country
for migrants has evolved under changing U.S. policies. In early 2025, the number of migrants
encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border declined sharply, with U.S. Border Patrol reporting
around 8,500 apprehensions in February—the lowest monthly total since April 2017. This
decrease is attributed to stricter immigration enforcement and policy changes under the Trump
administration, including asylum bans and increased military presence at the border.
Consequently, Mexico has seen a surge in migrants seeking assistance to return to their home
countries, with the International Organization for Migration recording 2,862 requests for
voluntary return in January and February 2025—a threefold increase compared to the same
period the previous year. These developments underscore the complex humanitarian landscape
Mexico navigates, balancing disaster response with migrant support services.