Since the start of the « migration crisis » at the end of 2014, the activity of NGOs in the Mediterranean has intensified. Acting for a long time without real control with the stated aim of saving lives, they were able to enjoy a humanist aura which silenced the critics. However, as their balance sheet and methods are increasingly challenged, questions arise: what has been their real impact? Who funds them? And above all, what is their purpose? This study sheds light on these subjects.