“P.er to fill the void left by Italy and the EU e guarantee legal, safe and respectful of human rights pathways for those fleeing war, violence and poverty“. For this, as he explains president Rossella Miccio, Emergency returns to the sea, carrying out a project wanted by the founder, Gino Strada. On the bulwarks of the nave humanitarian Life Support, departing from the Port of Genoa, his words are painted, not surprisingly: “Rights must belong to everyone, otherwise call them privileges”.
51.3 meters long, 12 meters wide by 1,346 tons, it can accommodate up to 175 shipwrecked people, in addition to the crew. The doctor’s office is on the covered deck, covering approximately 250 square meters.
The Mediterranean, one of the most dangerous migratory routes in the world
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 23,800 people have died or disappeared on the Central Mediterranean route since 2014. In 2021, there were over 1,500 deaths at sea, an average of four per day. And only in 2022 are they 1,200 people who have lost their lives or who are missing along what is one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.
Emergency returns to the sea
Emergency is not new to search and rescue activities in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2016 he provided medical assistance, cultural mediation and post rescue assistance on the Topaz responder ship to the association Moas (Migrant Offshore Aid Station). From summer 2019 until March 2022, he collaborated with the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms. A mediator and a psychologist from Emergency also participated in Mission 65, in August 2019, contributing to the management of the emergency situation of the 107 migrants who remained on board due to the denied disembarkation by the then Minister of the Interior.
A European naval mission is missing
What is missing, says Emergency, is «the lack of a European naval mission“. For this reason, the intervention of NGOs at sea is not only necessary but also urgent. Hence Life Support, a SAR project (Search and Rescue): “On board the ship we bring the experience gained over the years in our projects in Italy and abroad that provide social and health assistance and quality care”, explains Pietro Parrino, director of the field operations department.
From the main deck on the Life Support deck you have access to the boat deck: the reception area where rescued people will be embarked after being rescued. Based on the outcome of the triage, they will be accompanied to the clinic, to the main deck, to observation, to the nearby benches or to the open reception area.
Open to visits, at the port of Genoa
The ship will be open to the public for two days at the Calata Molo Vecchio Al Porto Antico: from 17.00 to 21.00 on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October from 10.00 to 21.00.
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