COVID-19: ITF SEAFARERS’ TRUST PLEDGES US$1.2 MILLION TO SUPPORT SEAFARERS

ITF Seafarers’ Trust pledges £1 million (US$1.2 million) to support seafarers and maintain welfare services hit by Covid-19. Lee Kok Leong, executive editor, Maritime Fairtrade, reports

The ITF Seafarers’ Trust (ITFST) is launching an emergency fund to address the impact of the global pandemic on seafarers and their families. The fund also aims to provide a lifeline for welfare services at risk due to the financial impact the virus has had on business and fundraising and activities.

The ITFST Covid-19 Welfare Fund has two main purposes.

• To facilitate fast grant payments for specific projects to alleviate hardship, stress and isolation of seafarers and their families;
• To provide funds for the maintenance of seafarers’ welfare services during the period of instability caused by Covid-19 and the measures taken to combat the virus.

The Trust is working closely with the TK Foundation to ensure a coordinated approach to funding and a swift response to the multiplicity of issues arising from the impact of the virus on global trade and the maritime community. The TK Foundation is a private foundation supporting non-profit maritime and youth programs.

Dave Heindel, Chair of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust said: “At the best of times seafarers struggle to get recognition for the amazing job they do ensuring the steady flow of household goods, food and commodities around the world. Now they have the incredible stress of being stranded far away from their families at a time of extreme distress. It is critically important that the ITF Seafarers’ Trust is there for them at this time of need.”

Head of ITF Seafarers’ Trust Katie Higginbottom added: “As well as providing for seafarers, we also want to make sure that the welfare services that currently offer much appreciated welfare support for seafarers, survive to serve another day after this crisis is over.”