“I'm alive”: a wave of relief for survivors in the Mediterranean

Thousands of people must leave their countries in search of safety and opportunities. On the European migration route, the journey is often extremely difficult: those who pass through Libya suffer inhumane treatment and violations of their fundamental rights, and in makeshift boats in the Mediterranean Sea, they risk their lives once again. Search and rescue NGOs respond to distress calls, and support survivors in sending a reassuring notification to their loved ones using a TSF solution.

However, rescuing people in distress at sea is becoming increasingly difficult.

A concerning legislative development

In early 2026, the European Parliament passed new laws regulating the return of individuals without the right to reside in the EU. These laws mark a turning point in the management of migration flows in the Mediterranean by institutionalizing forced return procedures. 

Several maritime rescue NGOs, including MSF and SOS Méditerranée, have publicly expressed their concerns following these votes. TSF also notes that these legislative changes are likely to prolong the climate of uncertainty and chronic insecurity among survivors, even while they are aboard a rescue vessel. The prospect of prolonged detention or return to transit countries—criticized as an obstacle to medical care—constitutes an additional source of stress. 

This exacerbates the psychological vulnerability of survivors already scarred by traumatic journeys of exile. While the ability to send a notification to loved ones, made possible by TSF, helps alleviate this anxiety, these developments only serve to increase the vulnerability and suffering of migrants. 

Reassuring families in a chaotic situation

Since the project began in December 2022, more than 7,000 people rescued at sea have been able to send a notification to their loved ones. TSF works with non-governmental organizations directly involved in rescue operations; they see first-hand the need for survivors to reach out to their loved ones after this traumatic experience: “one of the first things survivors asked for was: a way to reach their loved ones and let them know they were okay. It’s a relief that we can make this possible. I hope this brought them a moment of peace amidst all the uncertainty,” said a member of the Post Rescue Team from one of our SAR NGO partners.

Being able to reassure their loved ones brings relief to survivors, and they can access other important services, such as medical attention, more readily.

Safe Notifications for Survivors in the MediterraneanAfter being rescued in the Mediterranean, survivors are anxious to reassure their families that they are alive.