Covid Care Kits

Helping thousands of vulnerable families in the fight against Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has been very difficult for many seafarers and their families, with illness and long lockdowns leading to job losses and financial hardship.

With the world facing new waves of infections and a real need in some seafaring communities for basic medical equipment, medicine and guidance, we knew we had to take action.

Thanks to grants from the Seafarers’ International Relief Fund (SIRF) and additional support from The Seafarers’ Charity, we’re rolling out Covid Care kits to thousands of seafarers and their families in India and the Philippines.

We know from experience that preventive support is crucial to ensuring that already stretched health systems are not overwhelmed. Our Covid Care Kits are helping to prepare people to face any potential surges and enable self-care in non-critical cases.

Each care pack contains enough basic medicine and vitamins for a family of five, a digital thermometer, a pulse oximeter for monitoring oxygen levels, face masks, hand sanitiser and an information leaflet.

We completed distribution of the Covid Care Kits across 12 port cities in India in September 2021. We’re also operating a dedicated paramedic-led helpline in India for anyone worried that they have contracted Covid-19 or who would like professional medical advice. Despite a short delay caused by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, the roll out of the kits in the areas of Manila, Cebu and Iloilo in the Philippines is well underway, with hundreds of seafaring families already benefitting.

See our press release here.

Indian seafarers and their families benefitting

Filipino seafarers and their families benefitting

kits distributed across 12 port cities in India

“I am very happy to have this kit. It is very helpful and very important to our recovery.”

Seafarer Raghu (India), who used the kit to monitor his temperature and oxygen levels as he quarantined from loved ones and colleagues

Thank you to our funders

Our partners in India and in the Philippines

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