A joint operation to rescue people risking their lives on the dangerous sea crossing between Turkey and Greece has been launched by international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) and environmental organisation Greenpeace.
MSF and Greenpeace teams are using three rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) based on the northern coast of Lesbos in support to, and under the coordination of the Greek Coastguard for rescuing people at sea. MSF medical teams are also on standby at landing sites to provide emergency care for people in a critical condition and to ensure timely referrals to the hospital by three MSF ambulances, boosting the efforts of volunteer groups already providing assistance to people crossing to the Greek islands.