Few people are as devoted to seafarers’ wellbeing as MPHRP’s partners, which include the members of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). With that in mind, MPHRP embarked upon a training initiative devised in collaboration with both ICMA and ISWAN.
Based upon research and extensive shared experience, the training engages port chaplains, seafarers’ centres, other shore-based welfare providers to seafarers and community carers in home countries, ensuring that we reach seafarers in ports and in their home locations before and immediately after piracy and post repatriation.
On 29th & 30th July, a further 22 Welfare Responders were trained in Manila, Philippines adding to the tally of 36 Filipino responders trained earlier this year. Acting MPHRP Programme Director Hennie la Grange led the course. An important part of MPHRP's work is to visit seafarers' families during and after piracy incidents to offer support. Therefore, having welfare responders based in these communities (from northern Luzon to Palawan and the Visayas Region and numerous locations in-between) will help MPHRP reach more families.
Further Welfare Responder courses are planned for South Asia later this year.
MPHRP