While most international charities are facing the land, concentrating their efforts on the growing refugee crisis as Ukrainians flee the fighting, 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.
It is estimated thousands of Ukrainians serve in cruise ships in a variety of roles.
All over the globe, Sailors’ Society chaplains have been supporting seafarers touched in many ways by the escalating crisis.
'This is tearing them apart'
'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,' Sailors’ Society CEO Sara Baade said.
'But I’m so thankful that we can be there for them,' she continued, '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.
Baade said Sailors’ Society needs help today so it can continue to be there for those in desperate need.
Stepping up support
The charity 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 more trained staff to resource its Crisis Response Network and increasing capacity to be able to respond to more calls to its helpline.
Sailors’ Society also has chaplains in Ukraine, caught up in the chaos, trying to get their own families to safety and helping their communities decimated by war.
The Ukrainian appeal is here.
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