REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, VALETTA -- A mission, created in partnership by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Malta-based NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), has saved 700 irregular immigrants in the Mediterranean in the first seven days of its searching and rescuing work.
The mission, the only private search and rescue service in the Mediterranean, will be conducted for six months in the region at the peak of the crisis. The 20-person team includes a professional crew of camcopter operators, search and rescue professionals, medics and mariners.
It has rescued three boats containing people fleeing from Africa and the Middle East and was asked to carry out the disembarkation of a fourth group of people rescued by another vessel so far.
The latest rescue by MOAS and MSF saved 118 people from Syria, Somalia and sub-Saharan Africa, including nine children under five.
It began when Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Rome directed MOAS to search for a small wooden boat in distress. M.Y. Phoenix, the search and rescue vessel of MOAS, immediately managed to quickly locate the boat.
The Italian Coast Guard, through MRCC Rome, then requested that MOAS in partnership with MSF take on board an additional 101 persons, and disembark all the migrants in Sicily.
These rescues took place just hours after M.Y. Phoenix finished disembarking another 473 people in Pozzallo, Italy.
"MOAS is providing state-of-the-art search and rescue but we are also providing post-rescue care through our partnership with MSF. In addition, we are coordinating our efforts with other vessels effectively to save lives," said Director Martin Xuereb.
Those brought on board by the MOAS rescue crews were given an initial triage by the MSF medical team who treated conditions including diabetes, dehydration, conditions related to pregnancy, skin infections and injuries sustained during beatings and violent attacks. All those rescued receive food, water and other essential items on board the M.Y. Phoenix.
"This year MOAS is seeing twice as many people rescued as last year," said Christopher Catrambone, the co-founder of MOAS along with his wife Regina.
"The most shocking part of this ongoing tragedy is the sheer number of children, including unaccompanied children, making this dangerous crossing. It's harrowing to imagine what these children have witnessed since leaving their homes, sometimes all the way from Syria."
The MOAS assisted 3,000 migrants last year when it was at sea for 60 days between August and October 2014.
"We are very proud to be adding our professional crew and resources to the other rescue assets in the Mediterranean, most of which are commercial vessels having to face the brunt of the soaring numbers of boats in distress. Everyone is working around the clock and while commending them for their dedication we must stress that in order to save lives effectively," he added.
It is feared that 2015 will be the deadliest year yet for those risking the Mediterranean crossing. So far this year an estimated 1,750 irregular migrants have drowned, compared to 96 deaths during the same period last year.
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