The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) has risen more than US$1 million to support seafarers and their families affected by Covid-19 in India, with the potential to expand to other countries.
The SIRF appeal which is administered and overseen by The Seafarers’ Charity (formerly Seafarers UK) was established in May, when the highest wave of the pandemic in India hit, in order to deliver urgent help to seafarers.
In particular, it was formed as an emergency relief initiative when several seafarer welfare charities, including The Seafarers’ Charity, The Mission to Seafarers, International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), Sailors’ Society and Stella Maris and other shipping companies came together.
In less than three months SIRF rose funds of more than US$1 million and the target was reached thanks to donations from NYK Line and other personal and corporate donors, including the TK Foundation.
The total amount of money raised by SIRF currently stands at US$1.17 million and 100% of the donations will help the affected by covid seafarers.
The latest SIRF grants include funding for Stella Maris which will provide food parcels to more than 1,000 seafaring families in Indian cities Kochi and Kerala, as well as support to workers delivering post-Covid medical care, counselling, therapy and specialist care for children.
Speaking on behalf of SIRF, Chief Executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, Catherine Spencer, commented that having reached the US$1 million goal in less than three months is “a wonderful testament to shipping’s global community,” and she expressed her gratitude for the mass movement of the donors, saying that “every dollar has helped to deliver urgent, life-saving support to those most in need.”
Spencer also noted that although the Covid situation in India is stabilising, many other countries are still suffering, and SIRF is now looking at ways to extend its support to seafaring communities.
“The funds raised will continue to support our work in India, where thanks to our delivery partners, we have been able to respond rapidly to the needs of those at risk. This has included funding for oxygenators, Covid care kits, food aid and post-Covid support, as well as supporting a vaccination drive for seafarers,” stated Spencer.
“However, the pandemic is far from over, and the SIRF appeal remains open for donations and we continue to ask you to dig deep in support,” she pointed out.
