MOAS and Emergency NGO Partner

A joint operation by Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) and Emergency NGO, humanitarian organization which provides medical care, will leave Malta on Monday aboard the Responder, one of the two MOAS’ search and rescue vessels which will patrol the world’s deadliest migrant crossing: the central Mediterranean.

The Italian Red Cross will provide post-rescue care aboard the second MOAS boat – the Phoenix – which will also set sail today alongside the Responder.

Already, more than 2,000 people have died in 2016 attempting the crossing: In May, 1138 people died or went missing in a single week attempting to reach Europe. With today’s launch, more desperate people seeking refuge in Europe will be rescued and given expert medical care.

Emergency NGO will be operating from the MOAS vessel Responder to guarantee the post rescue assistance, in particular medical care and cultural mediation for the rescued migrants. The team is composed by six people including doctors, nurses, cultural mediators and a coordinator.

MOAS’ vessels Phoenix and Responder are, respectively, 40-metre and 52 metres long. Phoenix is equipped with two Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drones, and both ships have two high-speed rescue boats, a 20-strong professional crew of seafarers, rescuers, doctors and paramedics as well as a fully-stocked clinic to provide emergency search, rescue and medical care.

“No one deserves to die at sea and yet last month was one of the deadliest on record with as many as 1,000 having perished in the Mediterranean. Hundreds more will continue to die unless we bolster the professional search and rescue effort,” said MOAS founder Christopher Catrambone. “Our partners on board ensure that excellent post rescue care is provided to migrants who have already endured severe trauma”.

So far, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station has saved the lives of over 13,000 people.

“For more than 20 years, Emergency has been working in war and poverty stricken countries. Thus, we know very well what these people are fleeing from when they take a boat in the attempt to reach Europe”, said Emergency President, Cecilia Strada. “For two years, we’ve been working at the Sicilian ports offering socio-medical assistance to who lands. And today we are happy to bring our experience and expertise at sea, together with MOAS”.

So far, Emergency NGO has assisted over 20,000 migrants landed in Sicily, with its team working in the ports of Pozzallo, Augusta and Porto Empedocle.