Amnesty International has launched a new campaign to call attention to the plight of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico, urging the public to donate socks to help protect their feet during the perilous journey.

The London-based rights group said in a statement Thursday that it conducted a survey of Central American migrants, thousands of whom make their way across the region each year in hopes of reaching the United States, asking them what one thing they would take if leaving the country.

“Most migrants told us that they had no possessions with them at all because they expected to be attacked and robbed on the journey and that anything of value would increase their chances of kidnap,” Rupert Knox, Mexico researcher at Amnesty International, said.

“Much to our surprise, the migrants did tell us that one thing they desperately needed on their journey were socks. On journeys that can be up to hundreds of miles, untreated blisters risk lives and a fresh pair of socks can make all the difference,” he added.