Protest Support Phonebook: Updated Version

Introduction

The Vuka Protest Support Phonebook is a support directory for those organising protests, both offline and online. Organisers and their allies can find support from 25 international and regional civil society organisations listed in this phonebook.

At a time when civil society actors and activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), and others are facing unprecedented attacks, resources and funding to NGOs to continue providing vital protection support and urgent relief are being severely cut back. This is having a significant and grave impact on those at risk of human rights violations and abuses. In this current climate, this phonebook provides a summary of those organisations that are still positioned and resourced to respond.

How will this phonebook help?

This phonebook sets out the services and support that you may need to access in an emergency, or over the short and long-term. It is organised by international organisations and then regionally. It covers:

Who is this phonebook for?

This handbook is for organisers of peaceful protests, and this includes civil society organisations and activists, human rights defenders (HRDs), trade unionists, and campaigners.

How to use the phonebook?

This phonebook should be read as part of the preparation for organising peaceful protests to familiarise and identify the services and support that may be helpful for you to access, including in an emergency.

Phonebook Version and Updates

Last updated: March 2026 Version number: 2.0

Help us update: Securely submit updates to Vuka.

This updated version of the phonebook, alongside the Updated Protest Handbook Version 2, will be stress-tested at the regional level by the Vuka Coalition Allies in the coming months. This is part of its strategy to deepen its consultation with key stakeholders and those organising peaceful protests at the regional and local level to strengthen the content of the phonebook and its usefulness at both the regional and national levels.

If your organisation is listed in this phonebook, Vuka would welcome confirmation or correction of the information, contact details, and links included to ensure they are up-to-date and relevant. If you are a user of the phonebook Vuka would welcome feedback on the content, layout, and accessibility of the information as well as any contributions regarding other organisations at the international, regional and national level that offer protection support and services of the type included in the phonebook.

The phonebook does not include organisations that provide grants or funds for activities and programmes, nor does it include organisations that carry out advocacy or representation work. It focuses on organisations that provide protection support and urgent relief, as well as resources that can be accessed to strengthen safety and security, for example digitally. It has also prioritised the inclusion of organisations whose websites clearly indicate how help and support can be accessed.

Eligibility and Checks

Obtaining assistance, no matter how urgent, involves organisations carrying out checks to ensure that those asking for help are eligible and credible. These checks are a necessary part of the verification steps that they need to take and sometimes this can take time. It is also important to note that not everyone in need of assistance will qualify so sometimes individuals are refused. On those occasions organisations will usually set out the factual reasons for refusing your application for help.

Index by Types of Support

Protection (incl. medical)

Digital Security

Relocation

Emergency Grants

Resources

International Organizations

Access Now

Support: 24/7 Digital Security Helpline works with individuals and organizations around the world to keep them safe online. Who are they: Access Now defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk. Scope: International Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Arabic, Italian, Ukrainian Who can apply: Individuals or organisations at risk, Civil society, Journalists, HRDs Contact info: help@accessnow.org · PGP: Public Key Website: https://www.accessnow.org/

Amnesty International

Support: Emergency financial assistance for legal aid, medical expenses, or those in danger of human rights violations Who are they: Amnesty International is a global NGO reporting on human rights abuses/violations. Scope: International with regional offices and national sections Languages: Multiple Who can apply: Human rights activists, Victims of human rights violations/abuses Contact info: https://www.amnesty.org/en/about-us/contact/ Website: https://www.amnesty.org/en/

Agir ensemble pour les droits humains (formerly AEDH)

Support: Emergency assistance for human rights defenders at risk, including financial support for urgent needs such as temporary relocation, legal aid, medical assistance, and basic subsistence. Who are they: A France-based international NGO headquartered that supports civil society organisations and protects human rights defenders facing threats or persecution worldwide. Scope: International Languages: French, English Who can apply: Human rights defenders at risk, including NGO members, lawyers, journalists, trade union leaders, and other civil society activists. Contact info: protectionddh@aedh.org · +33 (0) 4 37 37 10 11 · complete form Website: https://agir-ensemble-droits-humains.org/en/

Front Line Defenders

Support: Protection grants, Digital Security, Rest & Respite, Risk Analysis & Protection Planning Who are they: Front Line Defenders is an international human rights organisation with the specific aim of protecting HRDs. Scope: International Languages: Several Who can apply: Human rights defenders Contact info: info@frontlinedefenders.org · 353-1-210-0489 · complete form Website: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/

Fund for Global Human Rights

Support: Financial and strategic support for grassroots human rights defenders and organisations, including critical support: legal aid, relocation where necessary, and security support. Who are they: Provide long-term flexible funding and hands-on strategic support to grassroots human rights defenders building collective power in their communities. Scope: International Languages: English Who can apply: Grassroots human rights defenders and civil society organisations working to advance human rights. Contact info: info@globalhumanrights.org · +1 (202) 347-7488 · complete form Website: https://fundhumanrights.org/

FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)

Support: Emergency assistance for human rights defenders, their families, and at-risk organisations, including protection measures, urgent support, and advocacy. Who are they: FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights) is an international human rights NGO federating nearly 200 member organisations. Scope: International with regional offices and national sections Languages: French, English, Spanish Who can apply: Human rights defenders at risk, their families, and organisations facing threats. Contact info: contact@fidh.org · +33 1 43 55 25 18 · complete form **Website: ** https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/

World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

Support: Victim Support Medical, Legal, Social Assistance Who are they: The OMCT works with 200 member organisations to end torture and ill-treatment, assist victims, and protect human rights defenders at risk wherever they are. Scope: International Languages: English, French, Spanish Who can apply: Victims of torture Contact info: victims@omct.org · telephone · complete form Website: https://www.omct.org/en

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

Support: Safety and Emergencies (incl. medical, basic living, legal), Safety Resources (Digital, Physical and Psychological) Who are they: We provide support to frontline journalists, and work to ensure that all journalists, including freelancers and media support workers, are aware of safety and security issues before entering a conflict zone. We work to prevent deaths, detentions, kidnappings, and other dangers through information sharing and practical guidance. We provide on-the-ground advocacy and rapid response support to journalists who are injured, imprisoned, or forced to flee because of their work. Scope: International with regional offices and national sections Languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish Who can apply: Journalists Contact info: contact · emergencies@cpj.org · +1 (212) 465-1004 Website: https://cpj.org/

Rainbow Railroad

Support: Emergency assistance for LGBTQI+ people facing violence, persecution, or life threatening situations due to sexual orientation or gender identity. Who are they: International nonprofit helping LGBTQI+ people escape danger. Scope: International Languages: English Who can apply: LGBTQI+ individuals at immediate risk Contact info: info@rainbowrailroad.org (general enquires) · complete form Website: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Media Defence

Support: Emergency Legal Support Who are they: Help hundreds of journalists, citizen journalists and media outlets report freely Scope: International with regional offices and national sections Languages: Multiple languages Who can apply: We support journalists – including citizen journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photojournalists, cartoonists or fact-checkers – and news outlets when they are confronted with legal action as a result of their reporting. Contact info: info@mediadefence.org · complete form Website: https://www.mediadefence.org/

Open Briefing

Support: Security, digital, wellbeing Resources: The Holistic Security Protocol for Human Rights Defenders (the Defender's Protocol), Protection, Holistic Security Toolkit Who are they: Open Briefing builds resistance and resilience among the people and movements challenging unaccountable power. Scope: International Languages: Multiple languages Who can apply: Human rights defender, activist, journalist, part of a community group, loose collective, formal NGO Contact info: info@openbriefing.org · +44 (0)1736 800 767 · complete form · request support Website: https://www.openbriefing.org/

Solidarity Center

Support: Technical support to those forming or strengthening unions Who are they: Our programs focus on worker rights and freedoms, union skills, workplace safety, economic security, combating forced labor and supporting workers in a rapidly changing economy. Scope: International Languages: Multiple languages Who can apply: XXXX Contact info: media@solidaritycenter.org Website: https://www.solidaritycenter.org/

International Centre for Not-For-Profit Law (ICNL)

Support: ICNL Lifeline Programme to protect CSOs against reprisals, legal restrictions, or attacks while enhancing their ability to operate safely Who are they: International nonprofit helping LGBTQI+ people escape danger. Scope: International, works in over a 100 countries Languages: XXXX Who can apply: XXXX Contact info: lifeline@icnl.org · complete form Website: https://www.icnl.org/

Peace Brigades International

Support: Solidarity and protection through physical accompaniment, Well-Being Resources Who are they: PBI provides protection and supports individuals, communities, movements, and organisations that defend human rights through protective physical accompaniment, international observation, advocacy efforts, awareness raising, and capacity sharing. Scope: International (see website for locations of national offices) Languages: English, Spanish Who can apply: Human rights defenders Contact info: contact@peacebrigades.org · +32 (0) 2543 4443 Website: https://peacebrigades.org/en

Urgent Action Fund

Support: Security grants Who are they: Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism has funded feminist activists to keep each other and their communities safe while building lasting, resilient movements for justice, equity and liberation. Scope: International Languages: English, Arabic, Russian Who can apply: Women, trans, non-binary activists Contact info: proposals@urgentactionfund.org · (415) 434-9626 · complete form Website: https://urgentactionfund.org

Regional Organizations

Americas

Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)

Support: Emergency fund for legal aid and humanitarian support, Legal Clinics for Human Rights and Refugees/Migrants providing free legal advice on access to justice, mental health, people deprived of their liberty, deportations, etc. Who are they: CELS is an Argentinian human rights organisation. Scope: Latin America & the Caribbean Languages: Spanish, English Who can apply: [Not specified] Contact info: [+54 11] 4334 4200 · complete form Website: https://www.cels.org.ar/web/

Africa

African Defenders

Support: Relocation, Digital Safety & Security Who are they: A network of five African sub-regional organisations, dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) across the African continent. Scope: Africa Languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese Who can apply: Any human rights defender (HRD) at risk, threatened or persecuted for their work. Risks or threats should be a direct consequence of the HRD's human rights work, and HRDs should be able to provide clear documentation of their work and of the risks faced. Contact info: hubcities@defenddefenders.org · panafrica@defenddefenders.org · +256 390 202 133 · Complete form for English · for French and send to hubcities@defenddefenders.org Website: https://africandefenders.org/

DefendDefenders

Support: Physical and mental security support, Protection grants, Digital Security Helpdesk, Protection and Security Resources for HRDs Who are they: DefendDefenders is a regional NGO that strengthening the work of HRDs in East Arica Scope: East Africa & Horn of Africa Languages: English, Arabic, French, Somali, Swahili Who can apply: Human rights defenders Contact info: IT security helpdesk: help@defenddefenders.org · +256 393 252310 Emergency Assistance protection@defenddefenders.org Emergency 24/7 helpline +256 707 020 0086 Address: DefendDefenders, Arie Towers, Plot 16 Mackinnon Road, Nakasero PO Box 70356, Kampala, Uganda Website: https://defenddefenders.org

Urgent Action Fund - Africa

Support: Rapid response and protection grants Who are they: Urgent Action Fund-Africa provides financial support for strategic interventions that take advantage of opportunities to advance women's human rights. Scope: Africa Languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Kiswahili Who can apply: XXXX Contact info: info@uaf-africa.org · +254 726 577 560 · +254 732 577 560 · Apply online or download a form Website: https://www.uaf-africa.org/

Asia-Pacific

Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights Asia-Pacific

Support: Security and well-being grants Who are they: Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism has funded feminist activists to keep each other and their communities safe while building lasting, resilient movements for justice, equity and liberation. Scope: Asia-Pacific Languages: English, Hindi, Indonesian, Nepali, Thai, Khmer, Fijian Who can apply: Women and non-binary human rights defenders Contact info: info@uafanp.org · Sign up to Apply Website: https://www.uafanp.org/

Asia Democracy Network

Support: Digital Security Training Who are they: ADN is committed to building a just, equitable and sustainable community of democratic societies in Asia, where all human rights of all individuals, groups and peoples are fully respected and realized. Scope: Asia Languages: English Who can apply: Activists Contact info: ADN@adnasia.org Website: https://adnasia.org/

Europe

Protect Defenders

Support: emergency grants, protection helpdesk, temporary relocation Who are they: Protect Defenders is the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism for empowering and protecting human rights defenders at risk worldwide. Scope: Urgent Languages: English, French, Russia, Spanish, Arabic Who can apply: Human rights defenders Contact info: general enquires: contact@protectdefenders.eu · +353 (0) 1 21 00 489 · complete form Website: https://protectdefenders.eu/protecting-defenders/

Civil Rights Defenders – Emergency Fund

Support: Emergency fund to human rights defenders at risk, including legal aid, temporary relocation, security training, and financial relief. Who are they: Sweden based human rights NGO supporting defenders through crisis interventions globally. Scope: International Languages: English, Swedish Who can apply: Human rights defenders facing imminent danger Contact info: complete form Website: https://crd.org/emergency-fund/

Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders

Support: Emergency grants for human rights defenders to cover urgent needs such as relocation, medical support, legal aid, and basic subsistence. Who are they: Supports civil society actors and human rights defenders facing threats or persecution in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Scope: Within the South-Mediterranean region (including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) Languages: English, French, Arabic Who can apply: Human rights defenders, including NGO members, journalists, lawyers, and activists at risk Contact info: grants@emhrf.org · +45 32 64 17 26 Website: https://emhrf.org/category/grants/

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