The Mission to Seafarers has raised £320,000 for its ongoing crew welfare campaign, thanks to the donors from across the shipping industry.
The campaign was launched late last year to sustain crew welfare support around the world at a time when it was desperately needed and as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact seafarers.
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As explained, the funds raised so far will be going towards a range of initiatives and projects, such as crucial support for regional services, assistance for those abandoned and extended PPE supplies, delivering support where it is most needed.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact seafarers and the entire industry, including abandonment of vessels and the need for welfare support for families following bereavements. Mission teams co-ordinate their work with recognised national organisations and authorities, such as Port State Control to enable chaplains to focus on the mental health and wellbeing needs of crew and to provide practical support.
…the Mission to Seafarers noted.
This fund will help the Mission enhance the training of its frontline teams to cope with the new demands they are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the fund will continue to support local and regional teams to adapt their support with innovative initiatives, depending on what local seafarers need most, according to current and emerging requirements.
Due to increasing variants, and seafarers being stuck onboard, the demand for SIM cards has soared, and the provision of emotional support via the 24/7 online ‘Chat to a Chaplain’ service has been essential.
In some of the most challenging circumstances, our teams of chaplains and ship visitors managed to make 30,576 socially distant ship visits last year but we need to sustain this support with Wi-Fi to contact loved ones, mental health resources, pastoral care, items of shopping and access to medication.
…Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, concluded.
