2 minutes of care for people rescued from distress at sea in the Mediterranean

According to the UNHCR, more than 125,000 people fled across the Mediterranean in 2022 - the deadliest refugee route in the world (IOM). The rescued people often suffer from severe exhaustion. On board the Humanity 1, all rescued people are greeted and welcomed. The team uses this to smell their clothes and determine whether there is petrol on their bodies. If someone smells of petrol, the person has to go straight into the shower to avoid possible burns. For many, it is the first shower in days or even months. The people rescued from distress at sea often suffer from dehydration and malnutrition. The care team takes care of their first needs and offers the rescued people high-calorie food so that they can regain their strength as quickly as possible. The Humanity 1 is a safe place where people are often treated with dignity and respect for the first time while fleeing and can feel like human beings again. The care team is responsible for ensuring that people on board feel safe and comfortable. By creating special spaces for children and women, particularly vulnerable people can feel safe. Children come together, play, paint or just have fun. In the protected spaces, children can be children again. On deck, part of the team is responsible for the barbershop: men talk about what they have experienced while they are getting their hair done and shaved.