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Our work
ISWAN Regional Programme
Our Regional Programme provides humanitarian support to seafarers and their families in three specific regions: South East Asia, South Asia, and West and Central Africa. It is funded by the Trafigura Foundation.
Seafarers taken hostage have a major worry about what becomes of their families while they face months or years of captivity. Our Regional Programme was developed in response to the needs of seafarers facing the crisis of being taken hostage by pirates and the families left behind. We provided emotional and practical support, training in crisis response, and guidelines for the treatment of seafarers and their families.
To be situated in the areas of greatest need, the programme developed a presence in the Philippines (home to more seafarers than anywhere else in the world), India and Nigeria. Our trained responders operate with a network of volunteers and through other seafarers’ welfare agencies to reach scattered families with assistance. As Somali piracy reduced in size and scope, our Regional Programme moved towards the wider effects of crises – deaths, injuries, illness, imprisonment – among seafarers and their families, where we are able to bring practical and emotional support in times of need.
You can read about some of the seafarers and families helped by our regional teams in the Regional Stories below.
