Our Projects General Info
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Desert Aid
No More Deaths has an ongoing humanitarian presence in the desert migration corridor south of Tucson, utilizing both a fixed base camp and intermittent mobile camps. Our efforts are concentrated in an area 5–20 miles from the international border, and focus on upholding the most fundamental human right—life itself—by providing basic humanitarian assistance to those in need. 
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 We are witnessing a major humanitarian crisis that is the result of economic and political policies that give people little choice but to embark on a life-threatening journey to come to the United States. Many of those we encounter hope to find work or are hoping to reunite with family members.
The primary reason the migrants, and No More Deaths, are out in these remote desert areas is because the policy of the United States has been to build large walls around the urban areas where people could easily cross the border. Now migrants are forced into the rugged desert mountains of southern Arizona—which has turned the region into a long graveyard as people continue to cross despite the harsh conditions.
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 No More Deaths has fixed base camps in the vicinity of Arivaca, AZ, thanks to the generosity of local residents who allow us to use their land. Sometimes we also have temporary camps or "mobile camps" in strategic locations for specific purposes, such as mapping a new area of the desert.
All of the equipment and supplies are donated, or purchased with donated money. We have campers/R.V.s for shelter and storage, a camp kitchen for food storage and preparation, many coolers to protect supplies from the elements and the local fauna, and plenty of camping equipment. Six years' worth of volunteers have refined the No More Deaths camp operation to something resembling an exact science.
 The camps are active primarily during the hot summer months when temperatures easily climb over 100 degrees during the day and the death rates are at their highest. Migrant deaths are, however, a year-round phenomenon, and No More Deaths is putting more resources into using the camps in the fall, winter, and spring. Since 2008, the camps have hosted large numbers of college students during our annual Alternative Spring Break program in the month of March, as well as delegations at other times of the year from college campuses and faith communities.
Although it is essentially impossible to quantify the effect of the aid that has been extended to people in the desert, the food, water and medical care has undoubtedly saved many lives and comforted many more.
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 Although the work we do is very serious, a matter of life and death, the camp volunteer experience is very rewarding and often joyful. Community is about working together toward a shared goal, and at camp, those elements of community—hard work, collectivism, shared purpose—are present in abundance.
Volunteers are encouraged to spend at least one week at the camp. Some sleep on cots under the stars, others in tents. A small kitchen is used to cook meals, and food is brought in each week.
It is a physically demanding environment, with little escape from the summer heat. When camp is fully operational, there is a daily routine of two patrols per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We rise early, and usually go to bed not long after sundown.
All volunteers receive training in No More Deaths protocol and basic first aid before spending time at the camps. In the field, they learn map reading, G.P.S., desert survival, and back road/off-road driving.
Activities
An average of 8 miles of hiking per day (sometimes carrying 2–5 gallons of water for distances up to half a mile or so); mapping trails; camp maintenance; evaluating migrants’ need for advanced/emergency medical care.
Great if you …
… are physically fit; enjoy camping and the outdoors; have an above-average tolerance for sun and heat; possess skills in wilderness medicine, wilderness survival, or search and rescue; prefer working as part of a relatively large volunteer team.
To learn about becoming a No More Deaths volunteer, please visit the Volunteer link: nomoredeaths.org/volunteer.
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Along with the humanitarian and life-saving work, the desert camps have given volunteers the opportunity to learn more about life in rural border communities like Arivaca. No More Deaths has worked hard to establish positive relationships with residents in these areas. No More Deaths has made contributions to the Arivaca Volunteer Fire Department. Volunteers have also spent many hours cleaning up trash and controlling erosion of ranch roads. |
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News Updates, Press Releases and Media Hits |
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