The International maritime charity Sailors’ Society has launched a Ukrainian Crisis Appeal in order to support desperate seafarers caught up in the conflict.
Sailors’ Society is there for the 75,000 Ukrainian seafarers, who may be many thousands of miles from loved ones, anxious and powerless to help. All over the globe, Sailors’ Society chaplains have been supporting seafarers touched in many different ways by the escalating crisis.
I have been talking to our chaplains about their conversations with those affected. All are extremely concerned for the safety of their families. Some are frightened to return to their country, as they know it will mean taking up arms. Many sob as they talk about their fears and frustrations. This is tearing them apart.
said Sailors’ Society’s CEO Sara Baade.
But I’m so thankful that we can be there for them – to listen and comfort, to pray by their sides and provide Wi-Fi units, so they can call their loved ones, hear their voices and share messages of love and support. “Sailors’ Society needs your help today so that we can continue to be there for those in desperate need.
also added Sara Baade.
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
It is important to highlight that 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.
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