Fleeing to seek refuge in Europe, thousands of people have died making the short sea crossing from Turkey to Lesvos. Setting off in flimsy rubber boats and wearing fake life jackets, many find themselves heading for rocks or sand banks that can readily capsize or sink a dinghy. Others abandoned by smugglers who drop them at beaches inaccessible via land. Our Search and Rescue crew and emergency response team are on call 24/7, working to prevent any more lives being needlessly lost to The Aegean.
Since the beginning of 2018, Refugee Rescue has directly assisted over 2500 people arriving to Lesvos by sea, over half of which we were women and children. As long as there is no option of safe and legal passage to Europe, people will continue risking their lives unnecessarily, forced to take what is now one of the world's most perilous migratory routes in search of refuge. Unfortunately, we are not currently active on Lesvos.
While we suspend our operations in Lesvos, we will use the coming months to assess our next steps - whether it is returning to Greece at a future time, or elsewhere where our skills and assets can be supportive. This is not goodbye - not yet - but a commitment to monitor the situation closely so that we can best support our staff, donors, local communities, and most importantly, the people we serve.
Our vision A future where all those fleeing violence, abuse, hardship and war have the right to safe passage at sea. Our mission Refugee Rescue offers skilled emergency assistance to migrants in distress in the Mediterranean Sea. We bear witness to human rights violations and advocate to make local authorities and intergovernmental bodies accountable for their actions. About Refugee Rescue Refugee Rescue is a grass-roots NGO currently operating a skilled Search and Rescue (SAR) team helping displaced people at sea reach safe shores. It was formed in 2015 by ordinary Irish citizens in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Aegean Sea when thousands of people were arriving by boat, having been displaced by war, conflict, and persecution. In Greece, our crew and volunteers saved over 15,000 people in distress. After being forced to suspend operations for 9 months, we are operating once again, in partnership with the rescue organisation Sea-Eye. Our life-saving rescue vessel, named Mo Chara (meaning 'my friend' in Irish) forms a crucial part of the Sea-Eye 4 ship. Our small and dedicated team is made up of a few core staff and many committed volunteers who work tirelessly to keep Mo Chara afloat. We share the same values of diversity, equality, integrity, respect and transparency that guide us. And none of our missions would have been possible without the generosity of hundreds of donors and partners who have enabled us to save lives. Please join us in our efforts - make a donation now. Registered charity name: Refugee Rescue - Date registered. 04/04/2016 Registered charity number: Charity Commission Number 105156 & HMRC Number NI00583
Since the beginning of 2018, Refugee Rescue has directly assisted over 2500 people arriving to Lesvos by sea, over half of which we were women and children. As long as there is no option of safe and legal passage to Europe, people will continue risking their lives unnecessarily, forced to take what is now one of the world's most perilous migratory routes in search of refuge. Unfortunately, we are not currently active on Lesvos.
While we suspend our operations in Lesvos, we will use the coming months to assess our next steps - whether it is returning to Greece at a future time, or elsewhere where our skills and assets can be supportive. This is not goodbye - not yet - but a commitment to monitor the situation closely so that we can best support our staff, donors, local communities, and most importantly, the people we serve.
Our vision A future where all those fleeing violence, abuse, hardship and war have the right to safe passage at sea. Our mission Refugee Rescue offers skilled emergency assistance to migrants in distress in the Mediterranean Sea. We bear witness to human rights violations and advocate to make local authorities and intergovernmental bodies accountable for their actions. About Refugee Rescue Refugee Rescue is a grass-roots NGO currently operating a skilled Search and Rescue (SAR) team helping displaced people at sea reach safe shores. It was formed in 2015 by ordinary Irish citizens in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Aegean Sea when thousands of people were arriving by boat, having been displaced by war, conflict, and persecution. In Greece, our crew and volunteers saved over 15,000 people in distress. After being forced to suspend operations for 9 months, we are operating once again, in partnership with the rescue organisation Sea-Eye. Our life-saving rescue vessel, named Mo Chara (meaning 'my friend' in Irish) forms a crucial part of the Sea-Eye 4 ship. Our small and dedicated team is made up of a few core staff and many committed volunteers who work tirelessly to keep Mo Chara afloat. We share the same values of diversity, equality, integrity, respect and transparency that guide us. And none of our missions would have been possible without the generosity of hundreds of donors and partners who have enabled us to save lives. Please join us in our efforts - make a donation now. Registered charity name: Refugee Rescue - Date registered. 04/04/2016 Registered charity number: Charity Commission Number 105156 & HMRC Number NI00583
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