Why the Sailor from Lampedusa?
6TH MAR 2023 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT
THE WORLD is a better place because of the heroic deeds of selfless people. We often live in our myopic safe spaces not really knowing what is going on in other parts of the world. The typical thought that comes to mind is, What can I do about it? I have no power resources, ability, or even time. I have enough on my plate. I can barely keep pace with my own duties and responsibilities. Totally understandable. All the more reason for paying tribute to those who engage in personal sacrifices, and the reason for writing this book.
The Sailor from Lampedusa, was inspired by real events involving the migrant crisis on Lampedusa Island. The passion and dedication of humanitarian doctors, like, Dr Pietro Bartolo provided further impetus for my writing. Dr Bartolo operated a lone medical clinic on the island for a quarter of a century, and his book, The Tears of Salt, provides a personal account of the daily tragedies that overwhelmed the island.
Pic
Tens of thousands of people made the perilous overland trek to the coasts of Libya or Tunisia. From there desperate attempts were made to cross the Mediterranean on rickety boats toward the islet of Lampedusa. Often months and even years were spent on the road before arriving at the coastal towns of North Africa. , From this point, the unsuspecting hopefuls would entrust what little money they had remaining to the local criminal syndicates trafficking in human cargo. The migrants were crammed like cattle on dilapidated barges and unworthy sea vessels. Humanitarian charities like Doctors Without Borders ( Medecins Sans Frontieres) would triage the new arrivals before they were bused and ferried to the reception centres. The “lucky” ones who managed to survive the journey, were given clean clothes, shoes and a telephone card. Once photographed, identified (if possible) and a few days rest , the refugee migrants were sent to one of Italy’s mainland centres, where the process of applications for papers and asylum. began
Pic
“According to the Italian Ministry of Interior, 57,000 people have reached Italy by crossing the central Mediterranean Sea… in 2022.
“Over the same period, 1,283 people either died or went missing in the attempt to cross the sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.
“On Wednesday, an NGO-operated ship sailing in the Mediterranean reported having rescued 466 migrants over a period of two days at the end of August.”–African News https://www.africanews.com/2022/09/02/migrant-centre-in-lampedusa-overcrowded//
The Sailor from Lampedusa is a dramatization of real events. The focus in most of the media has been primarily on the tragedies and insurmountable odds faced by migrant refugees and the impact on the small community of Lampedusa, and rightly so. However, the immense challenges, physical, and psychological traumas faced by humanitarian doctors, as well as first responders in every other category, is often overlooked. The invaluable work performed by these unsung heroes is monumental tribute to the love of humanity. Unfortunately, their invaluable contributions are often buried in the sensational news coverage of dramatic events unfolding at sea. Their story is either missing or inadequately revealed. It is these angels of mercy that inspired my book, the Sailor from Lampedusa.–Michael Bellusci
Sources
African news, see link above in article https://www.africanews.com/2022/09/02/migrant-centre-in-lampedusa-overcrowded//
Michael Bellusci 