Centre for Humanitarian Action at Sea

The Context

The humanitarian crisis at sea is a global issue, affecting multiple maritime routes and resulting in a high number of deaths, often with little reliable data available. This crisis impacts various actors, including states, the maritime industry, seafarers, search and rescue civil organizations, and maritime authorities.

Maritime rescue, a duty embedded in international law and maritime tradition, is more crucial than ever due to the escalation of the humanitarian crisis in recent years. However, fulfilling this duty is fraught with legal risks, financial burdens, and non-compliance by some states, exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe.

The crisis worsens due to the increased use of various sea routes for migration, including the Caribbean, the African Atlantic route, the Channel, the Mediterranean Sea, the Canaries, Australasia, Southeast Asia, the Gulf of Aden, and Southeast Africa (Mozambique/Mayotte/Comoros). For example, since 2014, over 29,000 individuals have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean alone.

The Centre for Humanitarian Action at Sea is committed to be a centre of excellence, providing effective efforts and centralizing the necessary resources and information to address this global crisis.

 

The Aim of the Project

The Centre for Humanitarian Action at Sea (CHAS) addresses the global humanitarian crisis at sea through three primary functions:

 

1.    HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE PLATFORM

The CHAS pioneers a progressive approach with the establishment of an unprecedented High-Level Dialogue Platform that unites stakeholders across sectors – shipping companies, states, humanitarian actors, search and rescue actors and international organizations. This confidential, neutral, forward-thinking space fosters discussions on humanitarian challenges in maritime contexts and proposes innovative solutions. Beyond conventional methods, the Centre aims to transform collaborative efforts, breaking traditional boundaries for a comprehensive and inclusive platform. 
The Centre is dedicated to advancing shared interests globally, playing a leading role in shaping policies through fostering collaboration between all stakeholders.

 

2.    RESEARCH, RESOURCES AND HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY

Research and Resources Hub: The CHAS serves as a cutting-edge research centre and a key hub for humanitarian diplomacy. It aims to become a leading resource in maritime humanitarian studies by centralizing and consolidating essential information. The Centre provides comprehensive support through detailed guidelines, essential resources, and recommendations for the best training programs available. By offering these resources, the CHAS enhances the effectiveness of maritime humanitarian efforts and promotes informed decision-making.

Analysis and Essential Data: At the core of the CHAS’s activities is the in-depth collection and analysis of crucial data. The research provides relevant perspectives on critical issues surrounding humanitarian action at sea, encompassing the challenges faced by the maritime private sector, humanitarian organizations and all other actors navigating these migration routes. The goal is to conduct research and gather information that is currently challenging to compile or locate, or simply non-existent. The Centre strives to become a key reference, producing valuable analyses that contribute to a better understanding of humanitarian challenges at sea. 

 

3.    SUPPORTING SAR OPERATIONS

The CHAS aims at supporting both the establishment of new SAR operations in maritime routes that are underserved or overlooked at the moment as well as existing routes in the manner of training or financial support and providing information, data. This support can be in the form of facilitating the training of crews in the specificities of mass rescues at sea, providing checklists for each aspect of the operations, providing support when confronted to mobilize different actors, including humanitarian or legal ones, etc. It can also take the form of direct financial support. This support will be closely monitored to ensure it benefits organizations which respect an agreed list of criteria, determined by all the actors involved in the Centre. These efforts are designed to ensure sustained support for critical SAR missions, reflecting the Centre's commitment to capacity strengthening and resource mobilization.
 

 

Experts

Richard WattsRichard Watts – Member of the Board C.H.A.S. 

Richard Watts has spent his entire career working within the maritime industry with a particular focus on the carriage of physical commodities. After 7 years working for two of the leading independent rice trading companies, Richard created HR Maritime in 2008 in order to provide bespoke professional services and training to the Trading and Shipping Industry. HR Maritime enjoys a wide range of clients both in Geneva and in the wider Shipping and Trading Community. Richard has a passion for teaching and assisting companies to reduce inefficiencies wherever possible. Richard also works extensively with exporters and importers from less developed countries to help them access the global market and increase their involvement in the entire value chain. Richard is increasingly focusing on the requirements and opportunities presented by the need for decarbonisation and more generally achieving sustainability in the business of Trading, Shipping, Finance, and supply chain logistics. Richard is the President of the Geneva branch of The Propeller Club and a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. Richard is also the President of SOS MEDITERRANEE Suisse.

 

Caroline Abu Sa'da

Caroline Abu Sa’Da - Founder and Executive Director C.H.A.S.

Caroline Abu Sa'Da is currently the Executive Director of SOS MEDITERRANEE in Switzerland. She has led humanitarian programs in the field, notably in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, for Oxfam GB, the United Nations, and MSF (Doctors Without Borders) Switzerland. Dr. Abu Sa'Da is the author of numerous papers, reports, and chapters on humanitarian action, NGOs, and the Middle East, as well as books, and has taught political science at New York University, Paris; Sciences Po, Lille; and the University of London. Caroline has also been the Director of the Research Unit of MSF Switzerland and the Editorial Responsible for the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights in Geneva. She holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from Sciences Po, Paris, and was awarded a doctorate honoris causa by Lausanne University in June 2023.

 

Ralph Mamiya

Ralph Mamiya – Researcher C.H.A.S.

Ralph Mamiya has more than ten years' experience in the protection of civilians and humanitarian action. He is the former team leader of the Protection of Civilians Team in the United Nations Department of Peace Operations and an advisor with the International Peace Institute and the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. He has authored many policy briefs for practitioners and journal articles for academics. Ralph holds a Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School.

 

Carine Fauchs

Carine Fauchs – Public Relation Officer C.H.A.S.

Carine Fauchs brings over a decade of experience in PR, communication, and marketing to the team. Having worked with various organizations, Carine has honed skills across multiple sectors. With a Federal Certificate of Specialist in Public Relations and a MARKOM Certificate from SPRI, strategic insight and industry knowledge are key assets, helping to shape and drive the organization’s communication efforts.

 

 

Social Media Channels

 

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