MOAS was founded in 2014 in Malta to carry out SAR (Search and Rescue) missions in the Mediterranean to respond to the migration crisis that put a dramatic number of lives—including children—at risk. Throughout the years, our organization’s humanitarian action has evolved as we extended missions to Ukraine, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and Bangladesh.
Even if MOAS no longer carries out SAR missions, its commitment to migrants’ rights remains: in Malta, we support and empower asylum seekers and refugee communities to facilitate integration and improve independence.
A network of excellent partnerships made everything possible
To make the impact real, humanitarian organisations (NGOs) cannot act alone. They need strategic and reliable local partners to work together and reach the common goal. According to the Climate Sustainability Directory, these partnerships provide knowledge, resources, networks, and trust:
- Knowledge: Local partners can have invaluable knowledge about their environment, culture, and social structures. Without it, NGOs would risk proposing, or imposing, solutions that may prove to be inappropriate or unsustainable.
- Resources: Local partners can give access to resources that would otherwise be unavailable to NGOs, including new funding sources and volunteers.
- Network: Local partners can foster communication and collaboration with other stakeholders, thus expanding NGOS’ networks.
- Trust: By working with local organizations, NGOs can build trust and legitimacy locally. This is crucial for long-term sustainability and impact.
For all these reasons, MOAS has established strong local partnerships in Malta to support refugee communities locally in the best way possible.
Our local partners in Malta
Being based in Malta, MOAS is often involved in initiatives aimed at supporting the migrant community and vulnerable people. We are members of the Malta Refugee Council and frequently operate with other local entities.
SIDMONS FARSONS CISK PLC & JV PHARMA FOR WATER DELIVERY
Severe dehydration is the most common condition faced by migrants and refugees at sea, due to people being exposed to harsh conditions with no access to water for long periods during their crossing. This is why in 2017, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc donated 6,000 bottles of water to MOAS for distribution among those rescued in the Mediterranean.
The same local partner, together with JV Pharma, also helped us deliver 1,400 litres of drinking water and 700 doses of rehydration mineral salts to the residents of the Peace Lab refugee centre in Malta, as a response to the heatwave that hit the island in 2023.
Farsons is another trusted partner of MOAS, when it comes to organising events, such as the world premiere of the documentary “Hope Under Fire”.
ECABS AND LUKE AZZOPARDI TO RESPOND TO COVID-19
In 2020, MOAS started a face mask project to help protect migrants in Malta from the pandemic. The initiative saw the distribution of 10.000 cotton reusable masks, which was made possible thanks to the Maltese taxi company eCabs. In addition, the local fashion designer Luke Azzopardi created a mask-making video tutorial for MOAS’s volunteer team to make as much protective equipment as possible.
RONALD McDONALD CHARITY HOUSE FOR THERAPY
In 2022, RMDCH hosted a MOAS art therapy session to support young people from the migrant community residing in Malta. The initiative was the first activity of our Malta-based project named Integration Through Education and Information.
AWAS AND GO INTERNET FOR LEARNING
In June 2020, a period in which many migrant families in Malta were not able to access remote education services for children during the pandemic, MOAS started the Remote Learning Project to provide tablets and internet connections. In this context, the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers helped design the project, provide information about the families in need, and deliver tablets and other devices. At the same time, the Maltese telecommunications company GO provided modems and connectivity.
AWAS is also our partner in designing and implementing the project for the “Information and Learning Centre,” which opened in 2024 and provides educational tools (IT and languages classes, CV writing, etc.) to support refugees and asylum seekers’ integration.
LIDL, P. CUTAJAR & CO. LTD AND FASTDROP FOR “PANETTONE” DELIVERY
On Christmas and Easter, MOAS usually coordinates panettone and Easter egg deliveries to refugee communities in order to bring joy and be close to the people there. All of this is possible thanks to the local partners Lidl and P. Cutajar & Co. Ltd which, for example, provided panettone in 2023. On that occasion, FastDrop offered free service during distributions in refugee centres.
Wicked Comics for the MOAS comic book
In 2024, to celebrate our 10th anniversary, MOAS produced a unique comic book, “Ten Years of Heroes—The MOAS Chronicles,” which was presented during the Malta Comic Con. The Wicked Comics team, Malta Comic Con organiser, has supported this initiative and helped us develop an exceptional celebratory publication.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world, threatened by unprecedented global challenges, the role of humanitarian organizations is becoming increasingly crucial in aiding the people affected by crises. However, they cannot carry out their life-saving missions alone: cooperation with local partners is necessary.
MOAS believes in such collaborations and acts every day to secure its partnerships in Malta to make a real impact on migrants’ lives.
If you’re interested in supporting MOAS’ efforts or learning more about our ongoing projects, follow us on social media, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us at [email protected]. To support our mission directly, please consider donating to www.moas.eu/donate.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
