Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises donated a total of 200,000 euro for refugee relief in Germany and Italy to support people who escaped war and prosecution, hoping for a life in freedom and safety in Europe, according to a joint statement released.
“The current situation is an exceptional challenge for the whole of Europe. The fate of the refugees concerns all of us. Hundreds of thousands of people who have left everything behind them need all the support we can give them. For us it is a question of humanity to provide help now, fast, and without red tape,” said Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group. Costa Cruises will support Medecins Sans Frontieres with a donation of 100,000 euro.
“Europe is facing a big emergency and we as Costa felt the responsibility to provide our support,” said Neil Palomba, President Costa Cruises. “Each day we understand more about this extremely sad situation and the needs all refugees have. We think that we must to concretely support the ongoing relief efforts and that’s why we want to sustain them.”
Since 2002 the organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) gives medical assistance to refugees and migrants both on arrival and in the First Aid and reception Center in Pozzallo, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health. MSF gives also psychological and medical assistance in the ports and in the reception centers of Ragusa province. In May 2015 MSF activated sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean sea with 3 dedicated ships.
