Saving Lives at Sea

Why do we do Search and Rescue?

The Central Mediterranean remains the world’s deadliest sea border, with at least 101 people reported dead or missing in June alone. Not only are European governments turning a blind eye, abandoning people for hours, days and sometimes weeks at sea without assistance, they are actively conspiring to push vulnerable people back to Libya.

According to the United Nations, Libya is not safe. Even the European Commission agrees. Yet almost 6,000 people have been intercepted and forcibly returned into a cycle of torture, abuse and arbitrary detention since the beginning of the year, as part of a bilateral agreement with Libya, funded by European member states.

Where do we do Search and Rescue?

All rescues occur in international waters in the central Mediterranean between Libya, Malta, and Italy where the majority of distress events occur. We normally patrol between 24-40 nautical miles from the Libyan coast. SEE ON MAP >>

Who do we help at sea?

Everyone. Whether they are children or adults, men or women, the people we help at sea are all vulnerable. We see people from all over the world taking this dangerous journey; from Bangladesh, Eritrea, Syria, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, Morocco, Pakistan and many more. The one thing almost all of them have in common is the harsh conditions they have endured on the journey. After every rescue, we hear countless first-hand accounts of the alarming level of violence, arbitrary detention and exploitation experienced in Libya at the hands of militias, smuggling networks, criminal gangs and private individuals. Many of the people we rescue present international protection needs and extra vulnerabilities such as unaccompanied minors, single women, pregnant women, people with disabilities, severe medical cases and victims of torture, sexual violence, human trafficking and/or a shipwreck.

What are we treating? 

Our medical care

Straight after a rescue, our medical staff perform an initial triage to identify people in need of immediate care, who are then treated in the emergency room on board. Our doctors regularly treat fuel burns, resulting from the prolonged exposure of the skin to a toxic mixture of fuel and salty water in overcrowded boats. Medics are also treating respiratory tract infections, skin diseases, general body pain and other minor complaints. Women, especially pregnant women, receive dedicated care thanks to the presence of a midwife onboard. MSF midwifes have assisted the delivery of several babies onboard. For the most severe medical cases, medical evacuation is possible in coordination with the relevant maritime authorities via helicopter or speedboat.   

What are we treating?

Our psychological care

Psychological first aid is provided by MSF medical staff and trained cultural mediators on board. During these consultations, our teams hear horrific stories; many of the people we rescue are victims of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Many of our patients, both women and men, are victims of sexual violence. They have had to leave everything behind and many of them have watched their families, friends and people they travelled with die at sea or in the desert.

How do we do Search and Rescue?

Sea-Watch is responsible for overall operational decision-making on board the SW4, as well as the provision of Search and Rescue (SAR) capacity, including the Captain, Head of Mission and 17 other staff. MSF is staffing the four-person medical team, including a Doctor and Midwife, alongside communications and advocacy personnel; MSF is responsible for providing all medical care and humanitarian assistance to rescued people during SAR operations and on board. This includes running the ship’s clinic and providing all in- and outpatient care. Together with SW, MSF will provide humanitarian assistance, such as identifying people who are particularly vulnerable, providing food and essential items such as blankets, and will continue to advocate for rescued people, including through public communications about what we witness, and taking stories.

How do we finance our Search and Rescue operations?

MSF is an independent medical humanitarian organisation and our funding relies largely on individuals donating small amounts. This helps to ensure our operational independence and flexibility to respond at a moment's notice to the most urgent crises, providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Since June 2016, MSF has not accepted funds from the European Union and Member States in opposition to their damaging deterrence policies on immigration. The cost to operate our SAR activities this year represents around 0.14% of the money spent on MSF projects in 70+ countries around the world in 2018. More info>>