ISWAN administers the MPHRF for the benefit of seafarers and their families who have been affected by piracy, anywhere in the world. Applications are encouraged from any seafarers, seafarers’ welfare organisation, or seafarers’ families, where piracy has caused hardship.
Thousands of seafarers have been held hostage by pirates and most shipping companies have ensured that the seafarers and their families do not suffer financially as a result of piracy, on top of the trauma of attack and captivity. However, in some cases companies have become bankrupt as a result of the piracy or left seafarers and families otherwise unsupported. This can lead to additional suffering, hardship and trauma for the seafarers' families during the period of captivity, homecomings to impoverished families, and no support for re-employment or rehabilitation.
The MPHRF can help by providing grants to seafarers and their families for expenses such as: medical care, counselling, travel costs, school fees for their children, rent when the family is faced with eviction and, in extreme cases, food and household expenses.
