Human Rights at Sea called for help to raise £50,000 to support its work in Ukraine and help with the humanitarian crisis caused by the war.
Currently there are about 2,000 seafarers stranded in Ukrainian waters, whose situation is critical. What is more, reports of vessels stuck in Ukrainian ports are growing, with seafarers having already lost their lives in the conflict.
Human rights atrocities are being committed against people at sea right now
said HRAS, announcing a campaign in order to:
- Meet with seafarers onboard vessels in Ukrainian ports and waters.
- Provide support and assistance to seafarers caught up in the conflict.
- Investigate and report incidents of human rights violation and war crimes.
- Work with governments and corporations to protect seafarers’ human rights.
- Ensure the voices of seafarers are amplified via our international networks.
HRAS is also engaging with governments and organisations on the ground to protect seafarers.
In a similar move, the International maritime charity Sailors’ Society has launched a Ukrainian Crisis Appeal in order to support desperate seafarers caught up in the conflict.
More specifically,
Sailors’ Society is stepping up its support for seafarers affected by this crisis by:
- Increasing the funds available for emergency grants for seafarers and their families;
- Drafting in more trained staff to resource our Crisis Response Network;
- Increasing capacity to be able to respond to more calls to our helpline.
Thousands of Ukrainian and Russian seafarers are stuck in ports around the world as the war in Ukraine rages on and shipowners are having difficulties finding replacement crews to keep strained supply chains rolling.
According to ICS, crews from Russia and Ukraine make up for 17% of the world’s 1.9 million sailors, and at least 60,000 are currently at sea or at ports waiting.
