Survey highlights needs of Ukrainian seafarers

A major survey into the welfare priorities of seafarers affected by the Ukraine crisis has shone a spotlight on the measures being taken to support seafarers and their families, as well as the most pressing priorities in the coming months.
 
The survey was undertaken by the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) and the Ukraine Charity Co-ordination Group, with the goal of reviewing the effectiveness of the response so far, identifying priorities and planning for the future.
 
The survey results highlight the full extent of global efforts to help seafarers and their families affected by the war. Organizations from across the maritime and welfare sectors participated in the survey to detail the steps they are taking, including charities, trade associations, welfare providers, unions, and shipping companies.
 
More than half of NGOs responding to the survey reported assisting with small gifts, SIM cards/WiFi, supportive conversations, medical help, religious services, and transportation.  Almost 30 percent of NGO respondents and 47 percent of industry and union respondents have helped seafarers and their families impacted by the war who wanted to relocate. Finally, 25 percent of NGO respondents also offered legal help in respect of immigration, financial assistance, and accommodation for seafarers and/or their families.
 
The following challenges were identified as the most significant in the coming months:

• Limits on travel to/from Ukraine for seafarers (74 percent of respondents)
• Mental health and wellbeing (70 percent)
• Extended contracts, discouragement fatigue (49 percent)
• Employment / new contracts (38 percent)
• Money remittances or other banking problems (34 percent)
• Cost of living for refugee families (32 percent)
• Data or wi-fi to contact family (26 percent)

An overwhelming number of respondents highlighted the limits on travel to/from Ukraine and issues affecting employment contracts (new and extended) as the most significant challenges that seafarers would face in the coming months.
 
Respondents were also asked to identify the projects that they would prioritize if resources were available. Among the common responses were: individual financial assistance/hardship grants; funding of accommodation for seafarers or their families who are refugees outside of Ukraine, mental health support, funding of SIM cards/WiFi for seafarers impacted by the war; legal support; and support for efforts to lobby the Ukrainian government to allow seafarers to leave the country for new contracts as a reserved occupation of strategic national importance.
 
Recommendations

Based on its initial review of the findings of the survey and feedback from respondents, SIRF has identified several immediate recommendations for all organizations that are involved in supporting seafarers affected by the Ukraine crisis, including Ukrainian nationals.

• Continue to provide funding for hardship grants and/or accommodation support for seafarers and their families affected by the war.
• Continue to support communications through the provision of data-enabled SIM cards and WiFi in ports around the world.
• Initiate a feasibility study on the development of a mental health support service for seafarers and their families affected by the war.
• Support efforts to allow Ukrainian seafarers to travel internationally for work.

Speaking on behalf of SIRF, Deborah Layde, Chief Executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, said:
“To understand how we can best continue to support those impacted by the Ukraine crisis, we wanted to hear from those who have been working so hard to help seafarers and their families. We received a wealth of feedback that brings to life how the maritime community has mobilized across the globe in support of seafarers, as well as highlighting what they see as the most urgent priorities. These priorities span the most vital needs of seafarers, such as hardship grants and accommodation, mental health support, contractual issues, and the constraints faced by Ukrainian seafarers on international travel.”
 
About the Survey

The survey was commissioned and managed by the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) and the Ukraine Charity Co-ordination Group. Organizations from across the maritime and welfare sectors were invited to share their experiences on the support given to those affected by the Ukraine crisis and the ongoing needs of seafarers.
 
The survey was conducted over four weeks and attracted 100 responses from a wide range of organizations, including shipping companies, charities, welfare organizations, and unions.