Organising counselling and reassurance sessions for the two Sri Lankan seafarers
MPHRP South Asia organised counselling and reassurance sessions for the two Sri Lankan seafarers returned from the captivity of Somali pirates after nearly 4 years. The crew members of MV Albedo attended the counselling with their families at Hotel GSH Colombo on 18 June 2014. Counselling was carried out by Dr K.M.U. Samarasinghe, psychologist.
The crew and families were counselled individually and also in groups. Dr Samarasinghe advised the crew members of good practices to follow in their future life, gave them moral support and said that they will need time to rest and recuperate from the physical and mental hardships suffered by them and also by their families during the long traumatic ordeal of captivity by Somali pirates.
Dr Samarasinghe briefed the families that it is expected that they will observe changes in the behaviour of their loved ones who have returned, but with due care and motivation, they will return back to normal life once again.
Dr Samarasinghe gave very useful advice to the spouses to make slow adjustments and to remind the partner that he is still needed in the family. He advised both the crew to stay in touch with each other and to refrain from repeating their ordeal if they are not comfortable to do so.
Chirag Bahri, MPHRP Regional Director- South Asia, briefed the crew and families and reassured them of the support offered by MPHRP and its partners. He also handed over a monthly allowance to financially support both families on behalf of MPHRF (Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Fund). The families have been supported by MPHRF with a small monetary allowance every month, which provides for the education of children, medical and counselling support in the absence of the crew.
Both crew and their families thanked MPHRP for the generous support and the humanitarian assistance provided to them during and after the ordeal. One family said “We lost all hope that my husband will return back. MPHRP gave them a new life. They are like GOD to us.“
Source and Image Credit: MPHRP
| MV Albedo hijack story background |
|
The Malaysian flagged containership “MV Albedo” with a crew of 23 was hijacked by Somali pirates on 26 November 2010. The ship was effectively abandoned by its owner soon thereafter. 1 Indian seafarer died in captivity. In July 2012, following a local campaign, a deal was struck for the release of the 7 Pakistani crew members on board and they returned home safely. In July 2013 the progressively unseaworthy vessel sank in a heavy storm. Subsequently 7 Bangladeshi, 2 Sri Lankan, 1 Indian and 1 Iranian seafarer were held hostage ashore, while the fate of 4 Sri Lankans on board at the time of the sinking remains unknown. |
|
You can also read the following related articles by clicking below: Relief for the release of MV Albedo hostages Captain of MV Albedo describes how his family had to raise funds for his release Albedo Families ask Somali Families for help to release their loved ones |
