Dear friends of Sea-Eye,

We are defying the headwinds and cold politics in Europe: Yesterday evening, the SEA-EYE 4 set off from Taranto in Italy on its last mission of the year. With one goal: to uphold humanity in these cold times!

Freezing cold in Germany: The political climate in Europe is chilly. One rescue ship after another is being detained by Italy on the basis of dubious justifications. Instead of discussing safe passage for refugees, Europe is coldly considering camps at its external borders. And in the Advent season, the Bundestag is currently discussing whether our work should be criminalised with a scandalous draft law. Conditions for us are getting tougher.

This makes it all the more important for us to counter this social coldness right now: We have pulled out all the stops to carry out one last mission this year. We know that people are still fleeing across the Mediterranean, even under the current harsh conditions. Just recently, for example, the "Humanity 1" rescued two hundred (!) people from four different boats. The refugees are risking their lives even now: Because what they are fleeing from is so horrible that they even run the increased risk of being swept to their deaths by the waves in winter.

We are doing everything we can to rescue as many people seeking protection as possible over the next few weeks – and to look after them on board until they reach Europe. It is important to us that people are treated with as much warmth as possible during their time on the ship.

You can help by making a donation: 55€ will buy enough paper and pencils for one mission, so that children and young people can draw to distract themselves from their traumatic flight. With €100, you can give 50 rescued people a hygiene kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. Every euro you donate will bring a little light into the dark season on board.

We hope that the bright red SEA-EYE 4 will become a shining light of hope in these politically chilly times – for people on the move and for all of us in cold Europe. We keep defying the rough winds and would like to thank everyone who is supporting us.

Yours

Gorden Isler
- Chairman of Sea-Eye e. V.