The National Union of Seafarers Sri Lanka (NUSS) has distributed essential food packs to seafarers and fishers affected by the recent X-Press Pearl accident thanks to an emergency grant from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.
The containership X-Press Pearl caught fire off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka and sunk subsequently with disastrous consequences for the local maritime community.
With the emergency funding from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, NUSS has arranged to deliver essential food and hygiene parcels to local seafarers and fishers whose livelihoods have been seriously compromised by the environmental catastrophe.
Ports and Shipping Minister were present to handover these parcels and expressed their thanks and appreciation to ITF Seafarers’ Trust and NUSS for initiating this programme.
Katie Higginbottom, Head of ITF Seafarers’ Trust said “We are grateful to be in a position to provide emergency support to unions like NUSS who ready to jump into action despite the challenges posed by Covid-19. Where we have trusted people on the ground, delighted to help seafarers and their families when the unexpected happens.
