The First 72 Hours After Crossing a Border
Glocal.name Editorial · · 7 min read
Why the first three days matter
The first 72 hours after arrival decide a lot: whether you are registered, whether you eat, and whether you keep the documents that prove who you are.
You do not need a final destination today. You need the safest next stop.
1. Register before anything else
Registration with UNHCR or the national asylum authority is what unlocks legal stay, health care and, in many countries, school enrolment for children. [1]
- Ask for an interpreter — it is your right in most systems.
- Keep every paper you are handed, even receipts.
- Photograph your documents and email them to yourself.
2. Find free food and medical aid nearby
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network and Caritas provide humanitarian assistance through national and local organisations. Availability and eligibility vary by location. [2] [3] Our Survival Map lists only verified free humanitarian services.
3. Protect your identity documents
Losing an ID is often more damaging than losing money. Store originals in one place and carry copies.
4. Get connected
Free Wi-Fi at libraries, municipal buildings and aid centres is often the fastest way to reach family and to file forms online.
References
Books on this topic
Recommended reading
The Ungrateful Refugee
Dina Nayeri
A former refugee's account of asylum systems and the stories displaced people are expected to perform.
🛒 Buy on Amazon