Save mothers and children in the Mediterranean Sea

In July and August, a record number of SAR (save and rescue) events has tremendously engaged the Italian Navy ships deployed in the Mare Sicuro operation, and our medical teams on board. We have had 18 of our volunteers at sea. One of them, the young Sicilian midwife Manuela, has served for almost two months in a row, driven by her unwavering will to help mothers and babies.

She has assisted tens of pregnant women on board of Patrollers Bettica and Cigala Fulgosi.  Under extreme conditions, three babies were born during her time.

June 27 - Happy  event on Ship Bettica where at 7.45 pm little François Manuel , 3.3 kg, came to the world. He is the son of two Cameroonian migrants just rescued from the water. The baby was born assisted by volunteers of the Francesca Rava Foundation, Giorgio, pediatrician and Manuela, midwife. The baby was born after 4 hours of labor and both he and his mother are well. This birth was good news after the horrible experience of losing a patient on that same day.The patroller, part of the national system for maritime surveillance Safe Sea, reached the port of Vibo Valentia the morning after carrying 762 migrants, and the newborn .

July 6 - Once more a  new life has the light on board of Patroller Bettica . At 9pm, little Manuela , daughter of a Cameroonian woman recovered from a boat in difficulty.  Mom and baby are in good health. Ship Bettica then headed to the Port of Reggio Calabria , carrying 977 migrants.

July 29 -   Joy Aurora, before term was born from Congolese mother. The ship had over 1.000 people on board at that moment.