60.000 €

Violence and illegal pushbacks have become part of everyday life on the Polish-Belarusian border. People seeking protection are stuck in the border area and can neither go forwards nor backwards. Those who make it to the Polish side end up in one of the last primeval forests in Europe, which, with its swamps and bogs, is life-threatening – especially in winter. The Egala association, part of Grupa Granica, provides first aid in the form of warm clothing, sleeping bags, food and drink, medication, information and counselling. They operate an emergency number that people seeking protection can contact. United4Rescue already supported the life-saving work in the winter of 2022/23 (more on this here in the blog) and at the end of 2024 helped again with 60,000 euros for the first half of 2025.

15.000 €

The rescue speedboat MALDUSA has been travelling from Lampedusa on search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean since May 2024. United4Rescue has already co-financed the purchase of the boat in 2022 and once again provided 15,000 euros at the end of 2024 to support important repairs to the engine.

30.000 €

Refugees themselves are often arbitrarily accused of being smugglers because they were seen driving the boat or are simply accused of doing so. More than 1,000 people are currently imprisoned in Italy as so-called ‘boat drivers’. Most of them have no access to lawyers and are completely isolated. The organisation borderline-europe tracks the arrests, contacts the detainees, networks with lawyers and initiatives and educates the public about the problem. United4Rescue supported the 2024/25 project with 30,000 euros.

100.000 €

Following the short-term loss of funding, United4Rescue supported the sea rescue organisation SOS Humanity 2024 with a further 100,000 euros for the alliance ship Humanity 1. With the help of the funding, the salaries of the naval crew could continue to be paid and the deployment and operation of Humanity 1 could thus be ensured.

25.000 €

The organisation SARAH – Search and Rescue for all Humans – has been carrying out rescue missions in the central Mediterranean with its ship of the same name since July 2024. At around 22 metres in length, the ship is comparatively small, but particularly fast. United4Rescue supported the missions in autumn 2024 with 25,000 euros.

465.000 €

Together with Sea-Eye, we are sending the fourth alliance ship to the Mediterranean: a former rescue cruiser of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS). As SEA-EYE 5, the ship will save lives in the Mediterranean this year. Well over 1,000 people have donated, collected and mobilised for the purchase of the ship. After just four weeks, the entire amount was raised: 465,000 euros!

60.000 €

The aim of the Civil Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (CMRCC) is to promote cooperation and communication between various organisations and networks involved in search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean. This is of particular importance as the European Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) are not sufficiently fulfilling their obligations. The CRMCC also collects data and information on maritime emergencies to raise public awareness and support advocacy and research. The CMRCC is a project by Civilfleet-Support e.V. United4Rescue supported the work of the CMRCC with 60,000 euros in 2023.

30.504 €

The Legal Centre Lesvos (LCL) offers free legal assistance to refugees arriving by sea to Lesvos and raises awareness of human rights violations through advocacy work. In particular, LCL campaigns against collective expulsions, so-called pushbacks, by the Greek authorities. LCL also takes on the criminal defence of migrants who are accused of smuggling as alleged boat drivers. With its funding, United4Resuce supports emergency legal assistance for unregistered asylum seekers immediately after their arrival in order to prevent illegal and often fatal pushbacks to Turkey.

200.000 €

We are particularly committed to our three alliance ships. In 2024, we supported one deployment of our alliance ship Sea-Watch 5 with a total of 200,000 euros.

200.000 €

We are particularly committed to our three alliance ships. In 2024, we supported one deployment of our alliance ship SEA-EYE 4 with a total of 200,000 euros.

20.000 €

United4Rescue is supporting the MARE*GO rescue missions in summer 2024 with 20,000 euros.

12.226 €

The CompassCollective is planning nine rescue missions in the Mediterranean in 2024. With their sailing ship, the TROTAMAR III, they will document human rights violations, help with rescue missions by larger ships and also rescue people themselves in an emergency. United4Resuce is covering the costs of one mission in 2024, totalling 12,226 euros.

50.000 €

Every year, ten of thousands of displaced people try to reach the UK by boat from France. Under pressure from London, the French law enforcement officers are now taking violent action against the people in the boats. The French organization Utopia 56 supports people on the north coast of France who fail in their attempt to cross the English Channel and come back to land soaked and hypothermic. To this end, Utopia 56 operates a 24/7 emergency number, travels the coast and provides people with blankets, dry clothing, hot drinks and food. We are supporting the life-saving emergency aid missions in 2024 with 50,000 euros. A report on the situation on the coast and the work of Utopia 56 can be found here (German)!

200.000 €

We are particularly committed to our three alliance ships. In 2024, we will contribute a total of 200,000 euros to the operational costs of our alliance ship Humanity 1.

80.000 €

The RESQSHIP association has been sending the sailing ship NADIR to the Mediterranean with a great deal of voluntary commitment since 2021. The crews provide first aid, support coastguard rescues and report on the situation for people seeking protection. In order for the NADIR to be able to save lives again in 2024, a number of preparations are necessary: the underwater hull needs to be de-rusted and repainted, repairs need to be carried out on the engine and generator, the safety equipment needs to be serviced, medication needs to be replenished and much more. United4Rescue is supporting the work with 80,000 euros. Read more (German)

26.000 €

The volunteer crew of the IMARA has been carrying out monitoring and first aid missions in the central Mediterranean for three years. In order to bring the sailing ship back into service in 2024, some work needs to be done in the shipyard. United4Rescue is supporting this work in the winter of 2023/24 with 26,000 euros.

50.270 €

After a first summer with five missions, during which many people were helped in the Mediterranean, the MARE*GO is coming into the shipyard for important repairs and upcoming conversions. United4Rescue is supporting the shipyard work in winter 2023/24 with 50,270 euros.

200.000 €

The Sea-Watch 5 will be the third alliance ship to save lives in the Mediterranean from November 2023. While the EU is building its walls ever higher, the International Organisation for Migration is documenting the highest death toll for 2023 since 2017. The Sea-Watch 5 is younger, faster, larger and more efficient than previous Sea-Watch ships. After United4Rescue had already contributed to the purchase of the Sea-Watch 5 in 2022, we supported the first deployment of the new alliance ship with 200,000 euros in 2023.

5.000 €

From August 2023, the TROTAMAR III, a 13m sailing vessel from the Compass Collective in Wendland, will reinforce civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean with search and observation missions between Tunisia and Lampedusa. In order to be as well equipped as possible for the missions, a crane for the dinghy was installed on the stern before the first mission. United4Rescue made the construction of the crane possible with 5,000 euros.

16.760 €

The MARE*GO has a long history as a rescue ship: the former fishing vessel was Sea-Watch's first ship in the Mediterranean from 2015-2018, and then as Mare Liberum in the Aegean. In 2023, the ship was refurbished and modernised by Zusammenland and was able to rescue dozens of people during a first mission. For repairs and a second mission, United4Rescue supports the MARE*GO with around 17,000 euros.

135.000 €

The Mare Jonio of MEDITERRANEA — Saving Humans is currently the only civil sea rescue ship under the Italian flag. United4Rescue has taken over costs amounting to 135,000 euros for shipyard work, the pending safety certification and a rescue mission in spring 2023.

200.000 €

Every ship needs to dry dock from time to time! For checks, maintenance and repairs, the SEA-EYE 4 went into dry dock in spring 2023. A new coat of paint was due, the fresh water tanks were renovated and the guest containers were improved. United4Rescue supported the work with 200,000 euros.

200.000 €

United4Rescue supports the missions of Humanity 1 in 2023 with 200,000 euros.

100.000 €

Because the January mission of the SEA-EYE 4 could not be financed through own donations, United4Rescue supported the mission of the alliance ship with 100,000 euros. So the mission could take place as planned: Cast off for the SEA-EYE 4!

55.500 €

The Polish network Grupa Granica provides humanitarian aid for migrants on the border with Belarus. Fearing violent push-backs, the fleeing people hide in the forests and swamps of the border region, often injured and hypothermic. Numerous people have already frozen to death in the icy winter. Grupa Granica operates an emergency number and sends volunteer helpers to the shelter seekers who bring vital medicines, food, warm sleeping bags and clothing. United4Rescue supports the rescue operations in winter 2022/23 with 55,500 Euro. Read more about the projekt (German)

21.000 €

The SearchWing association — which emerged from a project at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences — has developed a search drone that is intended to help rescue organizations locate inflatable boats in distress at sea. United4Rescue supported the association with 21,000 euros for personnel costs so that SAR NGOs can be trained in the operation of the drone and operations can be accompanied.

75.000 €

After numerous missions in 2022, the sailing yacht NADIR of the Resqship organization was due for important maintenance work. In the winter shipyard, for example, the underwater hull was repainted and the engine overhauled. United4Rescue supported the work with 75,000 euros.

125.000 €

The Italian island of Lampedusa is located in the middle of the central Mediterranean Sea. United4Rescue is supporting the purchase of a small rescue boat to be launched directly from Lampedusa for search and rescue operations. The project is currently (end of 2022) still in the planning stage.

32.000 €

Medical Volunteer International (MVI) provides humanitarian emergency aid at the European external borders with qualified volunteers from all over the world. Along the Serbian-Hungarian border and in Bosnia, MVI helps victims of illegal push-backs and border violence. These are mostly people who have to live outside the official camps under catastrophic hygienic conditions and have no access to water, hygiene or basic medical care. United4Rescue supported the purchase of medicines and the coordination and organization of vital medical care with 32,000 euros.

300.000 €

In 2022, rescue organizations were faced with sharply increased prices, especially for fuel. United4Rescue therefore supported the last two rescue missions of the SEA-EYE 4 this year with 300,000 euros. Half of this went into a donation-doubling campaign, through which private donations of the same amount could be won again. This together ensured that both operations could take place as planned.

100.000 €

With its rescue ship, the Ocean Viking, and its predecessor, the Aquarius, the sea rescue organization SOS Mediterranee has been able to save more than 36,000 people from drowning since 2015. In 2022 there were important conversions and maintenance work on the Ocean Viking. Among other things, a launching device for a new, third speedboat was installed and the on-board clinic was renovated. United4Rescue supported these measures with a total of 100,000 euros.

200.000 €

There is no end in sight to the deadly border policy on the Mediterranean. The EU member states continue to allow people seeking protection to die at their external borders. Therefore, together with Sea-Watch and many supporters, we are sending a new, third alliance ship for sea rescue to the Mediterranean — the Sea-Watch 5. The ship is larger, faster and more efficient than the previous Sea-Watch ships. As a result, it can take even more people in distress on board and provide them with better care. United4Rescue supported the purchase of the Sea-Watch 5 with 200,000 euros.

85.000 €

In Greece and Italy people who have steered a boat trying to cross the Mediterranean are systematically accused of "smuggling". Because the smugglers don't go on board or leave the boat early, those seeking protection are forced to take the helm themselves — and are often arrested as soon as they arrive. They face imprisonment for years or decades, and the trials generally violate basic constitutional standards. The organization Borderline Europe supports people criminalized for facilitating illegal entry into Italy and Greece with legal advice, process monitoring, public relations and solidarity campaigns. United4Rescue is funding this work for the period 2022/23 with 85,000 euros.

300.000 €

In August 2022, the sea rescue organization SOS Humanity took over our alliance ship Sea-Watch 4. As Humanity 1, the ship will continue to be used in rescue operations in the future. United4Rescue supported the first missions of Humanity 1 in 2022 with 300,000 euros for fuel, provisions, rescue equipment and medicine, among other things.

40.000 €

L'Aurora – Grup de Suport is an association of civil society and social movements that support civil sea rescue NGOs during stays in the Spanish ports of Burriana and Vinaròs. The volunteers help, for example, with the logistics of loading and unloading the ships, arrange experts and suppliers and support communication with authorities and companies. United4Rescue supported the establishment of a warehouse and offices with 40,000 euros.

30.000 €

The organization r42 sailandrescue has been conducting monitoring and first aid operations in the central Mediterranean with the sailing ship IMARA since summer 2021. The IMARA crew can provide people in distress with medical supplies and food and remain on site until a suitable rescue ship arrives. United4Rescue supports the IMARA rescue operations in 2022 with 30,000 euros for running costs and the purchase of a radar device.

10.000 €

United4Rescue supports the Transborder SummerCamp 2022 near Nantes, France, with 10,000 euros. Rescue organizations and activists who work for sea rescue and against criminalization and human rights violations along the EU's external border, meet at the camp. The special feature: NGOs from Europe and Africa take part in the exchange. With our funding, we help initiatives and people who otherwise cannot afford to travel with the travel costs.

50.000 €

With Blindspots, United4Rescue supported an organization that does not work directly in sea rescue for the first time. Blindspots helps people on the move in the northern border region of Bosnia. The brutality, lawlessness and push-backs in the Balkans are similar to the situation in the Mediterranean. The bitterly cold winters can be life-threatening for the people stuck there. Blindspots provides help in the makeshift dwellings and for particularly vulnerable people seeking protection, such as families, children and women traveling alone – for example with heat from firewood and self-made stoves. We supported Blindspots with 50,000 euros. You just don't let people freeze to death. Full stop.

125.500 €

With funding of over 125,000 euros*, United4Rescue enabled the SEA-EYE 4 to set sail for another rescue operation in December 2021. During the mission, the alliance ship rescued 223 people in distress. On December 24th, all the rescued were able to disembark in a safe harbor.

* This funding was approved in 2021 and paid out in early 2022.

51.000 €

In July 2021, United4Rescue decided to support the organisation Ciel Solidaire, which operates a reconnaissance aircraft. With observation flights over the central Mediterranean, it helps to spot boats in distress and report the emergencies to the authorities so that fewer people have to drown. The aircraft is also able to air-drop urgently needed medicines or other materials for civilian rescue ships. Illegal push-backs by coastguards and Libyan militias can also be well documented from the air. United4Rescue makes the conversion of the aircraft and the first mission possible.

75.000 €

In September 2021, United4Rescue decided to support the newly founded Italian rescue organisation RESQ. In June 2020, the organisation bought the ship ALAN KURDI from the German association Sea-Eye and christened her RESQ PEOPLE. With this support, United4Rescue enables the presence of another European rescue ship in the central Mediterranean Sea and at the same time strengthens the European network of rescue organisations.

50.000 €

The association RESQSHIP supports rescues on the Mediterranean Sea with the sailing ship NADIR. With 50,000 euros, United4Rescue supported the purchase and installation of several technical devices with the help of which sea emergencies can be better found and documented in the future: a radar device to identify boats at great distances even at night and in fog, a powerful satellite system to record data, to transmit image and information material as well as a wind generator system that reliably supplies the ship with electricity.

21.000 €

In July 2021 United4Rescue decided to support the Greek aid organisation Attika Human Support. It operates a small speedboat on the island of Lesbos. Because also in the Aegean Sea people flee across the sea in rubber dinghies. Again and again there are accidents with fatalities, and even more frequently there are push-backs by the Greek coast guard, which pushes the people seeking protection towards Turkey or even abandons them on the open sea, in violation of international law. With the speedboat, Attika Human Support can report the sea emergencies and document human rights violations by the Greek coast guard. In addition, the organisation provides newly arriving protection seekers with basic necessities — such as warm clothing and hygiene items. The funding from United4Rescue will cover the operating costs of the speedboat for half a year until the end of 2021. This means that human rights violations do not go unnoticed.

10.000 €

In September 2021, United4Rescue decided to support the "Palermo-Dakar Convergences". At this conference, committed aid workers and activists met simultaneously in Palermo and Dakar in mid-September 2021 to plan together how solidarity and support for people on the move can be better organised. This involves political approaches in lobbying as well as practical help. With the support of United4Rescue, the travel costs of conference participants who otherwise could not afford to attend were covered.

12.000 €

In September 2021, United4Rescue decided to support the alliance "Free El Hiblu 3" to draw attention to the criminalisation of civilian sea rescue. In 2019, three rescued young people on the oil tanker El Hiblu had successfully campaigned for over 100 rescued people to be taken to Malta rather than Libya. Because they interpreted and negotiated, they are charged with "terrorism" and "piracy". They face long prison sentences. The alliance "Free El Hiblu 3" ensures that the case is not forgotten and that as many people as possible campaign for the release of the three defendants. The funding from United4Rescue enables a staff position to coordinate these activities and write an information brochure.

423.000 €

In spring 2021, United4Rescue supported important modifications to the SEA-EYE 4 with 423,000 euros. They made sure the rescue ship received the necessary SOLAS certification.

434.000 €

Before being used as a rescue ship, the SEA-EYE 4 was used as an offshore supply company on the Baltic Sea. United4Rescue financed the purchase and conversion of the ship significantly with 434,000 euros. The SEA-EYE 4 is equipped with an infirmary and two fast lifeboats to bring boat people on board and provide medical care. The ship's electrical and nautical equipment, accommodation and much more have also been adapted for the important task as a rescue ship.

79.000 €

United4Rescue supported the rescue organisation Sea-Eye in April 2020 by covering mission costs of the ship ALAN KURDI in the amount of €79.000. Due to a long blockade and quarantine period of the ship, there were considerable unplanned additional costs. The subsequent mission was acutely endangered. Thanks to this support, Sea-Eye was able to prepare the next mission of the ALAN KURDI and quickly get back into action.

5.000 €

In October 2020, United4Rescue supported the rescue organisation Mare Liberum e.V. in a lawsuit against a new regulation of the German Ministry of Transport, which is supposed to make it more difficult for civilian rescue ships to operate. United4Rescue supported the purchase of the 14-metre sailing yacht Sebastian K, which is used to monitor the situation in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. Because the Sebastian K was refused permission to sail, Mare Liberum filed a complaint with the Hamburg Administrative Court. Successfully! The court upheld the blockade of the ship as unlawful.

The amendment to the Ship Safety Ordinance of the Federal Ministry of Transport of March 2020 should have been notified in advance to the European Commission. This had not been done, which meant that the amendment violated European law.

The project was also funded by the Foundation Fund for Sea Rescue and Sea-Watch.

170.000 €

United4Rescue supported the rescue organisation SOS Meditérranée in the autumn of 2020 with €170.000 for modifications of their ship Ocean Viking. Previously, the Italian authorities had found alleged defects in the ship and demanded a costly technical retrofit. This was to prevent the ship, like so many others, from carrying out rescues. Thanks to the help of United4Rescue, the newly imposed requirements were quickly implemented. For example, large life rafts, additional survival suits and specially certified life jackets were purchased. The ship's certificates were also renewed. Thus, the Ocean Viking was able to set sail again after a comparatively short period of time. In January 2021, she was the only rescue ship in operation and saved 370 people.

1.250.000 €

It all started with the Sea-Watch 4: In January 2020, United4Rescue and Sea-Watch bought the Poseidon, a former research ship. Thanks to thousands of donors, the necessary money — more than one million euros — was raised within a few weeks for the #WirSchickenEinSchiff campaign. On February 20, the alliance ship was christened Sea-Watch 4 and then converted into a rescue ship. Among other things, a protective area especially for women and children and an infirmary were set up.