Pope Francis, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has undertaken to send an economic contribution to all the families of the members of the crew of the ship M/V Gulf Livestock 1 (39 Filipinos, 2 Australians and 2 New Zealanders), which sank in the Sea of Japan near the island of Amami Ōshima 2 September last, after experiencing a main engine failure while typhoon Maysak was raging. The boat was sailing from the port of Napier, New Zealand, to the port of Jingtang, Tangshan, China.

The financial aid, in collaboration with the apostolic nunciatures and the Stella Maris of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, will be given personally to the families of the missing persons and the two survivors, along with a small personal gift from Pope Francis, to express his closeness and solidarity.

This contribution has been accompanied, since the very first days of the disaster, by spiritual, psychological and personalised support, offered to the Filipino families by a team of professionals, chaplains and religious sisters from the Stella Maris Centres of the nation. The support, which in view of the COVID-19 restrictions has so far been implemented through the use of social media and a digital platform, will continue for several months. This work is entrusted to Mary, Star of the Sea, protector of seafarers, to give courage and strength to all family members to face the future without uncertainties and with confidence and serenity.