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SOS Méditerranée
A day of rescue with the Ocean Viking
International solidaritySocial actionProvence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
With 180 €,
SOS Méditerranée finances:
1 care of a survivor aboard Ocean Viking
966 €14,000 €
28 Captains
Challenge
Following the cessation of Operation Mare Nostrum in 2014, which guaranteed much-needed rescue resources, this vast humanitarian zone was disinvested by the public authorities, leaving it without any means of rescue.
Since 2014, according to the IOM (International Organization for Migration),28,021 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean aboard unseaworthy boats.
In 2022, at least 2406 people died in the central Mediterranean as they tried to escape Libya and its inhumane living conditions repeatedly denounced by the UN.
Today the humanitarian drama playing out at Europe's gates is intensifying, and migratory flows are becoming more complex. Driven by inhumane living conditions in their countries of origin, armed conflicts, climate change and arbitrary detention, tens of thousands of people are attempting to cross the high seas in overloaded, unseaworthy boats.
SOS Méditerranée responds to the moral duty and maritime law of rescue at sea.
Since 2016, the Aquarius and then the Ocean Viking have rescued more than 38,407 people in distress on inflatable boats or barges.
Solution
Based in France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, its actions respond to a moral imperative and fall within a clear legal framework: the obligation to assist any person in distress at sea.
The association pursues three missions:
- SAVE lives at sea through search-and-rescue operations for boats in distress, in compliance with maritime and international law;
- PROTECT and CARE for those rescued through emergency care delivered on board, medical-psychological listening and support, as well as accompaniment to a safe place where their lives are no longer threatened and their basic needs can be met ;
- WITNESS the situation in the Mediterranean and raise awareness among the general public, institutions and governments of this humanitarian drama unfolding on Europe's doorstep.
The association pursues three missions:
- SAVE lives at sea through search-and-rescue operations for boats in distress, in compliance with maritime and international law;
- PROTECT and CARE for those rescued through emergency care delivered on board, medical-psychological listening and support, as well as accompaniment to a safe place where their lives are no longer threatened and their basic needs can be met ;
- WITNESS the situation in the Mediterranean and raise awareness among the general public, institutions and governments of this humanitarian drama unfolding on Europe's doorstep.
Thanks to the mobilization of citizens, the first boat was chartered in 2016 to respond to the humanitarian emergency. The Aquarius until 2018, then the Ocean Viking, are citizen boats financed 91% by private funds. On board, professional rescue sailors scan the sea and come to the rescue of the boats, often in difficult conditions. The refugees, 11% of whom are women and 30% minors, receive medical and psychological care until disembarkation in a safe port. SOS Méditerranée's action is always carried out in coordination with maritime authorities and in strict compliance with international maritime rescue laws.
Recent result
In 2022, the Ocean Viking rescued 2505 people in distress on boats or inflatable craft.
The money will be used for
SOS Méditerranée is committed to deploying professional rescue operations and employs professional maritime and medical/social teams both on board and ashore. Expenses include, for example, the renewal of life jackets (€25/jacket), dinghy operations (€100 for 3h) or the sharply rising cost of fuel.
Goal
The Ocean Viking can carry out about thirty rescues a year. In 2022, 2505 people were rescued in 45 operations. In the absence of state-coordinated rescue operations, its presence is essential, and your funding helps to ensure an extra day's presence at sea. Valuable support and solidarity.
SOS MEDITERRANEE FRANCE CS 20585, 13294 Marseille, France
Answer this SOS
SOS Méditerranée is a citizens' and European sea rescue association whose mission is to save lives at sea, protect and care for those rescued on board the Ocean Viking and bear witness to the situation in the central Mediterranean.
Created in 2015 thanks to the mobilization of citizens determined to act in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe of shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean, its vocation is to provide assistance, without any discrimination, and to treat with dignity any person in distress at sea, in compliance with international maritime law.
As a humanitarian association independent of all political parties and denominations, it is founded on respect for man and his dignity, whatever his nationality, origin or social, religious, political or ethnic affiliation.
- Saving lives at sea
- Protecting and caring for those rescued
- Witnessing the situation, with the support of over 600 volunteers in 19 branches
Since 2014, over 27,818 people have gone missing in the Mediterranean. In the face of the unacceptable, SOS MEDITERRANEE remains mobilized to continue its rescue operations. It has remained mobilized ever since, despite recurring obstructionist maneuvers, to publicize this tragedy and try to alleviate it with the support of its crews, employees, volunteers and above all its committed donors.
Created in 2015 thanks to the mobilization of citizens determined to act in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe of shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean, its vocation is to provide assistance, without any discrimination, and to treat with dignity any person in distress at sea, in compliance with international maritime law.
As a humanitarian association independent of all political parties and denominations, it is founded on respect for man and his dignity, whatever his nationality, origin or social, religious, political or ethnic affiliation.
- Saving lives at sea
- Protecting and caring for those rescued
- Witnessing the situation, with the support of over 600 volunteers in 19 branches
Since 2014, over 27,818 people have gone missing in the Mediterranean. In the face of the unacceptable, SOS MEDITERRANEE remains mobilized to continue its rescue operations. It has remained mobilized ever since, despite recurring obstructionist maneuvers, to publicize this tragedy and try to alleviate it with the support of its crews, employees, volunteers and above all its committed donors.
Rescue during the weekend of November 11-12. Photo by Jérémie Lusseau.3 rescues in 24 hours
This weekend, the Ocean Viking rescued 128 people - men, women and children in distress - during three rescue operations, in international waters off Libya.
Many of them had severe burns from the fuel on the bottom of the boat and symptoms of intoxication. One of them lost consciousness on arrival on the Ocean Viking; she was immediately attended to by our medical team and is now in stable condition.
The Ocean Viking has set course for the remote port of Ortona, on the Adriatic coast, where the Italian authorities have instructed us to disembark the 128 survivors. As weather conditions deteriorate, it is unacceptable that these men, women and children, already exhausted.
Despite the obstacles, as winter approaches, the crossings continue as soon as weather windows allow. We remain determined and ready to continue our mission. For this, and more than ever, we need your help!
Many of them had severe burns from the fuel on the bottom of the boat and symptoms of intoxication. One of them lost consciousness on arrival on the Ocean Viking; she was immediately attended to by our medical team and is now in stable condition.
The Ocean Viking has set course for the remote port of Ortona, on the Adriatic coast, where the Italian authorities have instructed us to disembark the 128 survivors. As weather conditions deteriorate, it is unacceptable that these men, women and children, already exhausted.
Despite the obstacles, as winter approaches, the crossings continue as soon as weather windows allow. We remain determined and ready to continue our mission. For this, and more than ever, we need your help!
10 ans de honte
Le 3 octobre 2013, 368 femmes, hommes, enfants perdaient la vie dans un terrible naufrage près de Lampedusa, aux portes de l'Europe. Face à l'Europe. Ce naufrage a choqué le monde. Mais seulement un temps. Car pendant 10 ans, les images de naufrages et de tragédies n'ont pas cessé. Lampedusa a été oubliée.
Cette crise humanitaire en Méditerranée tue. Depuis 2014, au moins 28 000 enfants, femmes et hommes se sont noyé.e.s, dans l'indifférence totale des Etats européens.
Cette crise humanitaire en Méditerranée tue. Depuis 2014, au moins 28 000 enfants, femmes et hommes se sont noyé.e.s, dans l'indifférence totale des Etats européens.
Rescue on the night of August 10-11, 2023. Photo by Camille Martin Juan.500 people rescued in 48 hours
Over the past 48 hours,our teams have rescued over 500 people in distress, in 11 rescues. While these people are now safe and sound, our teams are still in operation as alerts continue.
It all started yesterday morning, when we carried out the rescue of a first boat, spotted by binoculars from the deck ofthe Ocean Viking, with 55 people on board. The alerts then multiplied and the rescue operations went on relentlessly throughout last night and are still continuing at this time.
All these operations are being carried out under the coordination of the Italian authorities and in cooperation with other NGO vessels present on site.
All these operations are being carried out under the coordination of the Italian authorities and in cooperation with other NGO vessels present on site.
These staggering figures testify to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Mediterranean and the extreme need to increase search and rescue resources in this area.
In the face of absolute urgency, our vital mission must continue. For this, and more than ever, we need your help!