Americas
Mexico.
Mexico's C贸digo Penal Federal contains a provision on failing to help an injured or endangered person, punished with community-service days rather than prison. Federal civil-protection law formally recognizes registered volunteer groups and a national network of community volunteer brigades, and federal income tax law allows deductions for donations to authorized recipients, within a cap. A federal law also sets out how the federal government supports civil society organizations.
Is there a legal duty to help a stranger?
LimitedArticle 340 of the C贸digo Penal Federal sets 10 to 60 days of community work for anyone who finds an abandoned minor unable to care for themselves, or an injured, disabled or endangered person, and does not promptly notify the authorities or does not give necessary help when able to do so without personal risk. Article 341 separately covers a person who runs over someone, even accidentally, and fails to help or call for help. This is the federal code; state criminal codes were not reviewed in this guide.
Are people who help protected?
None foundNo federal statute specifically shielding people who help a stranger in good faith from civil liability was found in the texts reviewed. Ley General de Protecci贸n Civil does provide official recognition, training and coordination for registered volunteer groups, but that is not a liability shield. This guide does not review state laws.
How the government promotes giving and service
Ways to give and volunteer
Giving in Mexico runs through a mix of the national Red Cross, food banks and many small civil associations; religious groups also run many local services and are not listed here. Start by checking that a group is an authorized donee before you give.
Check a charity before you give
The tax authority publishes a directory of organizations authorized to issue tax-deductible receipts; search its site for the donatarias autorizadas list (the site may block automated tools).
Give your time
Give money, blood or a donation
In an emergency or a crisis
Before you act
- Fake collection drives spike after earthquakes and hurricanes, so give through established groups and not through unknown social media accounts. Before donating to a local association, look it up in the SAT donee directory and ask for an official receipt. Foreign visitors should check immigration rules before doing unpaid work with a local group.
This list does not cover local religious charities, neighborhood groups or a full directory of every state. Checked 2026-10-28. Listing an organization is not an endorsement, and none of them has endorsed this site. Some official sites block automatic checks, so a link may need a second try.
One thing worth knowing
Mexico's civil-protection law names volunteers in its structure: registered volunteer groups and a national network of community brigades, with the law describing civil protection as solidary and participatory action.
What this does not mean
All quotations are this guide's own English translations of the Spanish texts. The criminal provision reviewed is federal and its penalty is community service, not prison; state codes and how courts apply these provisions were not reviewed. The tax rule shown is a summary of article 151 and does not cover every condition or SAT rule. This is a plain-language summary of public sources, not legal advice, and it does not rank countries. No government named here has endorsed this site. Not reviewed by a lawyer. Statutes were read in public sources and may have changed. Last checked October 26, 2026.