You
might have thought about donating to help end
the senseless drownings in the Mediteranean, but
didn't in the end. In case now is a better
moment, here's the email again :) We don't
usually resend emails like this, but with more
people expected to make this dangerous crossing
in the next days and weeks, every penny counts.
Click
here to chip in. |
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Dear
friends, |
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Johanna
just wanted her tiny baby to have a life worth
living. |
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So
fleeing violence, poverty, and hunger,
she gambled on a flimsy, inflatable
dinghy -- hoping it would take them to
the safety of Europe. But it ended in
tragedy. |
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The
boat deflated, and 6-month-old baby Joseph
died. |
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Over
900 people have drowned in the Mediterranean
this year -- it could be THOUSANDS if
it wasn't for humanitarian rescue boats. And
that's the problem: some EU countries are now
shamefully blocking those civilian rescue
missions from leaving port. |
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All
but one. |
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In
the entire Mediterranean, there's now
just one civilian rescue boat still operating:
the Open Arms. Their commitment
is incredible, facing violent coast guards,
stormy seas, and daily heartbreak. They've
rescued over 60,000 people from the sea --
and they're desperate for
funding. We can help. |
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Many
of us are facing serious challenges of our own
-- but this is our chance to be a
lifeline for some of the world's most
vulnerable, people who may otherwise be
left to drown, miles out at sea.
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If
enough of us chip in, we could help fund this
rescue ship through the icy winter weeks,
support other missions fighting through
administrative red tape, and supercharge our
fights for human rights everywhere.
Donate what you can
now: |
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These
aren't just migrants, or immigrants, or
refugees. They are humans: ordinary
people in the most terrifying circumstances,
just trying to live their lives and keep their
families safe. We can't look
away. |
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And
yet that's exactly what the EU is doing: funding
cruel detention centres, drone surveillance, and
violent patrols to keep people trapped in
countries like Libya, away from its shores.
Civilians shouldn't have to run rescue
missions -- but the Open Arms crew and
others are being forced to step in,
saving thousands who might otherwise be left to
drown. |
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But
it's incredibly expensive work -- and as the
only civilian rescue boat currently operating in
the Mediterranean, the area they cover is beyond
massive, and this is the most freezing,
dangerous time of the year. They need
urgent funding, and if enough of us chip in, we
could: |
- Help fund Open Arms rescue
missions through this critical winter
period;
- Provide emergency food, life vests,
and hygiene kits to people being
rescued;
- Fund administrative battles to cut
through red tape stopping other rescue
missions;
- Power our human rights
campaigning to protect vulnerable
people around the world.
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Our
donations will save lives, it's that
simple. And in another world, it could
be us on those tiny boats, holding our youngest,
desperately hoping that help will come. We can
be that help -- chip in what you can
now: |
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For
years our movement has stood by the world’s most
vulnerable -- whether it’s refugees fleeing
war-torn Syria, the Rohingya running from
genocide, or Yemen's starving children. We do it
because every single life is precious -- no
matter where you're from, or the colour of your
skin. This is a moment to stand by that belief
again, reaching out, with open
arms. |
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With
fierce hope and determination --
always, |
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Camille,
Mike, Patricia, Mohammad, Marigona, Aloys, Bert
and the whole team at Avaaz |
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PS:
The cost estimates above come from the average
expenses incurred by civilian rescue missions
like Open Arms to take people on board the ship
and cover their upkeep with emergency
assistance. |
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PPS
- This might be your first donation to our
movement ever. But what a first donation! Did
you know that Avaaz relies entirely on small
donations from members like you? That's why
we're fully independent, nimble and effective.
Join the over 1 million people who've donated to
make Avaaz a real force for good in the
world.
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More
information: |
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