The Moas migrant rescue mission was still more than €3 million short from being able to set sail again but major benefactors could help push them out to sea as soon as May, founder Chris Catrambone told Times of Malta.
“Our hope is to be up and running in a few months. May is the soonest we feel the donations we are receiving will provide us with enough funds to actually return to our mission,” Mr Catrambone said aboard the Phoenix rescue vessel in Marsa.
The modest Phoenix saved more than 3,000 weary migrants from overcrowded clandestine boats last year in operations costing in excess of €4 million.
In 2014, the mission was completely funded by Mr Catrambone and his wife, Regina. This year, however, the philanthropists have called on the public for financial support. So far, it has collected some €65,000 through online donations.
Thanking donors for their generosity, Mr Catrambone said running the mission would cost about €400,000 a month, an ocean away from the present level of funding being collected.
“We have shown that operations like this can be done and with a certain level of success. With the right funding, I want to see this continue again,” he said. Mr Catrambone said one possibility being explored would be partnering up with other major humanitarian entities. Some have already shown a keen interest.
We have shown that operations like this can be done
Asked to elaborate, Mr Catrambone said some NGOs, which were previously unable to offer maritime rescue services due to a lack of expertise, were considering joining forces with Moas to offer post-rescue services.
Mr Catrambone said he had aspirations for the mission to branch out and see more, newer boats carrying out wider operations.
He was speaking during an onboard visit by MEP Roberta Metsola and Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech.
During the visit, the former commander of the Armed Force of Malta, Brigadier Martin Xuereb, who headed the Moas mission, brought tears to the eyes of the Catrambones as he recounted the harrowing experience of unzipping a body bag after a deadly migration disaster back in 2013. It revealed the “terrifying” expression of a drowned seven-year-old migrant who died moments before rescue vessels arrived.
“I was still with the armed forces at the time and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that,” he said.
Dr Metsola, who was recently appointed Nationalist spokeswoman for European and foreign affairs, sits on the Libe Committee, a Brussels body dedicated to discussing the migration issue at an EU level.
Thanking the Catrambones for their efforts, she said it was essential for Europe to toe the same line and increase efforts to save the lives of fleeing migrants.
Dr Zammit Dimech, who was recently appointed PN spokesman on migration, said the Moas operations set an example of compassion he hoped many would aspire to emulate.
Those interested in keeping up to date with the mission’s progress can follow Moas on Twitter @moas_eu and use the hashtag #MOAS to enter discussions about migration.
Donations can be made via www.moas.eu/donate.