Coldplay throw support behind refugee and migrant charity

Coldplay have thrown their support behind a charity which has saved the lives of tens of thousands of refugees and migrants fleeing war and persecution in the Middle East.

The band, which has a long history of support for a range of charitable causes, has become a long-term patron of Moas (Migrant Offshore Aid Station), which operates professional search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said: “Every year, Moas rescue thousands of people who risk death at sea while searching for a better life. But for an accident of geography, those people could be us and we could be them. For this reason, we’re proud to support Moas’ life-saving work”.

Over the past two years Moas boats have rescued an estimated 33,000 refugees attempting perilous crossings to Europe in often overcrowded and unseaworthy rubber dinghies. The majority of refugees were from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last year, at least 5,079 refugees and migrants drowned while attempting to cross the Mediterranean, according to the UN Migration Agency, although some charities believe this figure is likely to be an underestimate.

Martin sings an a capella version of his song Don’t Panic on a short fundraising film released on Thursday that features footage of a recent rescue. Moas said the film “aims to give the viewer an immersive experience of a rescue and show the fear, hope and anguish experienced by the refugees and migrants”.

The timing of the band’s announcement came amid increasing global political tension over refugees and border controls, including Donald Trump announcing controversial measures designed to prevent refugees from entering the US.

Moas said that in light of recent political developments Coldplay believed it was more important than ever to support vulnerable people. Founder Regina Catrambone said: “We are very grateful to Coldplay for believing so strongly in our cause”.

“Moas is a young organisation that in a few years has managed to make a significant difference in mitigating one of the most heart-breaking humanitarian tragedies of our era. However, there is still so much to be done. Coldplay’s support will allow our work to reach the hearts of a wider audience worldwide.”

Moas was founded in 2014 by two Italian-American entrepreneurs, Chris and Regina Catrambone, after a humanitarian disaster in October 2013 when an estimated 400 people drowned off the island of Lampedusa.

It was one of six refugee charities that benefited from the Guardian and Observer’s 2015 charity appeal, which raised £2.6m.

Coldplay have supported a number of charities over the years, including Oxfam, the Red Cross, War Child, Amnesty International and Kids Company. Martin reportedly donates 10% of his annual income to charity.