Michelle Dabney

Open Arms

Open Arms is a non-profit organization born from the spontaneous action of a group of professional marine-rescue volunteers. Our main mission is to rescue refugees from the sea that arrive in Europe fleeing war, persecution or poverty. We started by helping to disembark people who were trying to reach the Greek coasts (Lesbos). Later, in 2016, in the absence of action by the administrations in the face of this great migratory crisis, we extended our activity to the Central Mediterranean with a medically-equipped rescue and surveillance boat to help those fleeing torture in Libya. First, we had the Astral, then later the Golfo Azzurro and the Open Arms. In 2018, we wanted to go further, so we moved to the places of origin in Africa to provide people with the tools and education that would allow them to find an alternative in their home countries and thus avoid having to embark upon this dangerous journey. Since 2015 we have rescued more than 59,000 lives adrift thanks to donations from individuals and institutions. And we will remain there for as long as we are needed. Will you help us?