This August, MOAS turns eleven.
Eleven years of believing that every life is equally valuable. Eleven years of weathering storms, both literal and metaphorical, to reach those in greatest need.
Each anniversary marks another chapter in our journey, and this year, as I reflect on all that MOAS has become, I am filled with both pride and gratitude. What began as a private initiative born of heartbreak in the Mediterranean has expanded into a global humanitarian organisation founded on compassion, courage, and unwavering commitment.
Currently, our teams in Ukraine continue to carry out one of MOAS’s largest and most complex operations to date. Since the start of the war in 2022, we have saved more than 72,000 lives through frontline medical evacuations. With a team of brave all-Ukrainian medics, drivers, and doctors, supported by a fleet of cutting-edge ambulances, we are delivering vital medical care to the very edge of active combat zones.
But this mission, as extraordinary as it is, remains precarious. Funding is dangerously low. Every kilometre driven, every wound treated, every life stabilised: these are only possible thanks to our donors’ generosity. Without renewed support, we risk losing the capability to operate at scale when lives are still very much at risk.
Earlier this year, we launched our film Hope Under Fire, which tells the story of this mission in Ukraine through the perspectives of those experiencing it: a paramedic, a field doctor, and a brave ambulance driver. Throughout the scenes, you could feel the silence, the held breath, and the shared humanity. That documentary isn’t just a film; it is a call to action. And I repeat that call now: please, if you believe in our work, stand with us.
While Ukraine is our most urgent focus, it is not our only one.
This year, we proudly launched From Field to Framework, a book that highlights our practical approach to Disaster Risk Reduction in informal settlements. It is more than just a publication: it is a legacy project. It captures the voices of experts, logisticians, and search and rescue teams who shaped MOAS water and fire safety training courses in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. It distils lessons learned from a very complex area and shares them with those eager to act, not merely observe. If you’ve ever wondered, “How can we improve in emergencies?”, this book provides our answer.
Here in Malta, our Information and Learning Centre has continued to grow as a safe, welcoming space for migrants and asylum seekers. Through language classes, art & crafts workshops, music and dance lessons, and other activities, we help people not only survive but regain hope and acquire competencies.
This June, we celebrated Refugee Week with a series of impactful activities: a cooking class and a Lingo Bingo game that brought together migrants and residents, all united by compassion and a shared commitment to a better future.
These are the moments that remind us why local action matters as much as global response.
In Sudan and Somalia, two regions suffering from both chronic instability and deadly humanitarian crises, we have shipped tons of critical nutritional support and medical supplies that have been distributed by our local partner to the communities in need.
In Sudan, where violence has displaced millions, we have worked with local partners to deliver emergency kits and essential medicines to the most remote camps and communities. In Somalia, where drought and hunger continue to devastate families, the distribution of therapeutic food has helped mothers keep their children alive.
This embodies MOAS: acting quickly, working respectfully, and never giving up, no matter how far or difficult the road.
Looking Ahead: A Next Chapter
As we enter our twelfth year, we carry not only memories but momentum. In the months ahead, we plan to continue our medical response activity in Ukraine, deepen our education and empowerment work in Malta, and continue to stand in solidarity with people in crisis, wherever they are.
The future will undoubtedly bring new challenges. The world continues to struggle with displacement, climate-related disasters, and violent conflict. But MOAS was created for moments like these.
Gratitude for Our MOAS Family
None of this would be possible without our incredible team, our tireless volunteers, our field partners, our donors, and our extended MOAS family around the world.
To every donor, volunteer, partner, and supporter: thank you. You are part of this mission. You are part of this family. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or have only recently discovered MOAS, your support keeps us going, literally.
Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for every euro donated, every article shared, and every kind word sent to a staff member after a long day in the field. You may not be with us physically in Somalia, Sudan, or Ukraine, but your presence is felt in every way.
So, as we mark 11 years of courage, compassion, and commitment, I ask one thing:
Please help us keep going.
Help us keep saving lives.
Help us write the next chapter of MOAS, with humanity at the centre, always.
Christina Lejman
Director of Operations and Fundraising
Your support can make a difference. Please consider donating to help us continue our missions and save lives. Visit www.moas.eu/donate to contribute. For more updates on our work, follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us at [email protected].