SIRF makes urgent appeal for donations
The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) issued an urgent appeal yesterday for donations, ahead of today’s IMO Day of the Seafarer, as it pushes towards its fundraising goal of US$1 million in support of seafarers and their families affected by covid.
The appeal currently stands at US$869,502 in donations and pledges received from across the shipping industry, including corporate and personal contributions. The SIRF was established by leading seafarer welfare charities, after an approach from Ardmore Shipping, wanting to do more to support seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The latest SIRF grants have been issued to leading seafarer charities ISWAN and Stella Maris. The ISWAN grant will be used to fund the facilitation and coordination of priority vaccinations for 5,000 seafarers, as well as financial hardship grants for seafarers and the next of kin of those who have lost their lives and further support through ISWAN’s ‘SeafarerHelp’ telephone line.
The Stella Maris grant will fund 200 food parcels, including PPE, for the next three months. As the global shipping industry comes together to mark the annual IMO Day of the Seafarer, SIRF is asking for organisations to show their support for seafarers by donating to the relief fund to reach the goal of US$1 million, all of which will go towards delivering emergency relief to those in need.
“This year more than ever, the Day of the Seafarer needs to be a day of action, not just words,” says Catherine Spencer, chief executive of The Seafarers’ Charity who are managing the SIRF Fund. “We are working with our long-term partners to deliver lifesaving relief to those most in need. It is wonderful to work in a collaborative manner with colleagues from across the industry. We are hugely grateful for the many generous donations and will ensure that they make a difference on the frontline of the fight against covid.
“However, there is so much more to be done. We urgently need to reach our target and more, if we are to make a difference for the thousands of seafarers and families affected by the pandemic. If you are marking Day of the Seafarer and recognising the immense sacrifices made by all those who serve at sea, please consider donating to the SIRF appeal.”
Recent donors include Danish Shipping, Damico, FedNav Ltd, Glander International Bunkering, North of England P&I Club, Rightship, Seaspan Ship Management, Vantage Shipbrokers, Hong Kong Seafarer Mutual Assistance Fund and The Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation.
SIRF has been established by leading international seafarer welfare organisations. The Seafarers’ Charity is managing the fund with delivery of relief and welfare services provided by The Mission to Seafarers, ISWAN, Sailors’ Society, Stella Maris, ICMA and others. The charity says 100% of SIRF donations will go directly to helping seafarers and their families.
