Sailors' Society Opens Centers in the Philippines

Sailors’ Society has opened two new seafarers’ drop-in centers with birthing facilities in the Philippines thanks to financial support from Swire Pacific Offshore Operations, The China Navigation Co. and the Anscor Swire Ship Management Dependents Association (ASSMDA).

The center in Leyte includes a birthing facility and will benefit approximately 1,000 households. Its counterpart in Cebu, which was co-funded by the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), will help almost 7,000 families.

Since Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines in 2013, Sailors’ Society has helped rebuild houses and lives in the areas worst affected.

The maritime welfare charity has expanded its program work in the last couple of years, reaching out to 400,000 seafarers in 2016.

Sailors’ Society works internationally and aims to transform the lives of seafarers and their families at home, in port and at sea through the delivery of chaplaincy, education and the relief of poverty and distress.

The Philippines is key to world trade, with a large percentage of the world’s 1.6 million seafarers coming from the country.

Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society’s deputy chief executive and director of program, said: “Seafarers can spend many months at sea, and it can be incredibly difficult for the loved ones they leave behind at home.

“Sailors’ Society is committed to transforming lives in seafaring communities and we are really grateful to Swire Offshore, ASSMDA and AMOSUP for helping fund these new centers.”