What do Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and a 'Pope Boat' have in common?
Angelina Jolie —
What do Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and a 'Pope Boat' have in common?
Khalil Mazraawi/Getty Images/File
Both are hoping to save thousands of refugees from dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Jolie, a Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, was at a Malta naval base recently, drawing attention to the 130,000 migrants who have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year -- 2,500 dying while attempting cross the Mediterranean.
Malta mission —
Both are hoping to save thousands of refugees from dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Jolie, a Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, was at a Malta naval base recently, drawing attention to the 130,000 migrants who have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year -- 2,500 dying while attempting cross the Mediterranean.
UNHCR/ P. MullerUNHCR/ P. Muller/File
Jolie is not alone in her mission. A wealthy couple from Malta has now also launched a 40 meter rescue boat, called 'Phoenix,' to help refugees at sea.
Phoenix rises —
Jolie is not alone in her mission. A wealthy couple from Malta has now also launched a 40 meter rescue boat, called 'Phoenix,' to help refugees at sea.
Courtesy MOAS
The converted fishing trawler is owned by the Catrambone family (Regina and Chris, with daughter Maria Luisa), who were inspired by a message from Pope Francis. They are now spending $445,000 each month in operating costs.
Caring Catrambones —
The converted fishing trawler is owned by the Catrambone family (Regina and Chris, with daughter Maria Luisa), who were inspired by a message from Pope Francis. They are now spending $445,000 each month in operating costs.
Courtesy MOAS
"The words of the Pope, appealing to people to help with their skills, their ability, their free time -- we had to do something," said Regina, originally from Italy and now living in Malta with her American husband and daughter.
'Pope boat' to the rescue? —
"The words of the Pope, appealing to people to help with their skills, their ability, their free time -- we had to do something," said Regina, originally from Italy and now living in Malta with her American husband and daughter.
Courtesy MOAS
It follows the Pope's visit to the small island of Lampedusa -- <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2013%2F07%2F08%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fpope-lampedusa-refugees%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dallsearch">where 366 migrants died in shipwreck last year </a>-- in which he criticized the "global indifference" to the refugee crisis. As the closest Italian island to Africa, Lampedusa is a frequent destination for refugees seeking to enter European Union countries and shipwrecks off its shores are common. Many of the migrants are from African nations, while others have fled war-torn Syria, officials say. Others are economic refugees.
Vatican on vessels —
It follows the Pope's visit to the small island of Lampedusa -- where 366 migrants died in shipwreck last year -- in which he criticized the "global indifference" to the refugee crisis. As the closest Italian island to Africa, Lampedusa is a frequent destination for refugees seeking to enter European Union countries and shipwrecks off its shores are common. Many of the migrants are from African nations, while others have fled war-torn Syria, officials say. Others are economic refugees.
Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images/File
The Catrambone's project, called <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moas.eu%2Findex.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS)</a>, includes two on board drones which search out migrant boats at sea.
High-tech help —
The Catrambone's project, called Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), includes two on board drones which search out migrant boats at sea.
Courtesy MOAS
A lifeboat from rescue ship "Phoenix" approaches refugees, offering drinking water. We never approach a boat with our boat because it's rather big, so we approach cautiously with a dingy. The first thing we do is start giving out life jackets," said MOAS director Martin Xuereb.
Water works —
A lifeboat from rescue ship "Phoenix" approaches refugees, offering drinking water. We never approach a boat with our boat because it's rather big, so we approach cautiously with a dingy. The first thing we do is start giving out life jackets," said MOAS director Martin Xuereb.
Courtesy MOAS
The number of migrants arriving in Europe by sea is more than double last year's 60,000, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unhcr.org%2F5416e8db9.htmlhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.unhcr.org%2F5416e8db9.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to the UN.</a> In Europe, the refugee issue has long been a political quagmire, as domestic and unemployment issues have taken center stage, as waves of refugees keep coming - making the perilous voyage.
Womena and children first —
The number of migrants arriving in Europe by sea is more than double last year's 60,000, according to the UN. In Europe, the refugee issue has long been a political quagmire, as domestic and unemployment issues have taken center stage, as waves of refugees keep coming - making the perilous voyage.
Courtesy MOAS
Under EU rules, people claiming asylum must remain in the first safe country they land. Once out of mandatory detention in Malta, they are moved to an open center in a converted aircraft hanger, where they must wait to be considered for asylum in their country of choice.
What next? —
Under EU rules, people claiming asylum must remain in the first safe country they land. Once out of mandatory detention in Malta, they are moved to an open center in a converted aircraft hanger, where they must wait to be considered for asylum in their country of choice.
Courtsey MOAS