Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario (Humanitarian Maritime Rescue) (SMH) is a Non-governmental organization (NGO) that is governed by the principles of "volunteering, solidarity, humanity, universality, equality, impartiality and dignity"[1] founded in Zarautz (Gipuzkoa) in 2015.
It was created as a rescue group to reinforce the response in the massive arrivals of inflatable dinghies with migrants on the island of Chios, in the Aegean Sea.
After the pact of the European Union and Turkey[2] and the consequent reduction in arrivals, the project in Greece adapted to new needs and transformed into a health team.
[5] After the pact between the European Union and Turkey, and the consequent decrease in arrivals, a medical team was created to care for the people living in the refugee camp.
Among all the attendees there was one who did not settle for the passive response from the majority, and calling his people, he got on a small boat and left the dock with the intention of helping the shipwrecked.
It was José María Zubia, 'Mari', who was seen appearing and disappearing with his boat while he controlled the rudder directing the four men who handled the oarsHe died carrying out a rescue in January 1866.
Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario is a non-profit association and is financed in four ways: annual contributions from its members, one-off anonymous donations from individuals and companies, solidarity events and emergency aid funds from town halls, councils and regional governments.
[15] In 2016, Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario received the René Cassin Peace and Coexistence Prize awarded each year by the Basque Government.