The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) and its partners in the industry-wide coalition established to assist seafarers and their families with the humanitarian aspects of piracy incidents have welcomed the news of the release of the 22 crew members on the Iceberg 1 after 1,000 days in captivity in Somalia. They have since been re-united with their families.

\"We are greatly relieved to hear that they are safe after their terrible ordeal,\" said Mr Peter Swift, Chairman of MPHRP. \"Now we hope that both public and private organisations will work to ensure that the released hostages, as well as their families, receive all the necessary support and assistance they will require both immediately and longer term as they recover from the trauma and deprivation that they have suffered since being kidnapped on March 29, 2010.\"

\"While we are overjoyed at the release of these 22 seafarers, we must not forget that 2 of their colleagues died during their captivity on Iceberg 1 and our thoughts are equally with the families of those who have not returned. Similarly, our thoughts and prayers are with the more than 140 seafarers and fishermen still held hostage on other ships and ashore in Somalia and call on all parties to do all within their power to hasten their release and safe return.\"

MPHRP was established in September 2011 by a cross industry group of 27 partners with one aim: \"To assist seafarers and their families with the humanitarian aspects of a traumatic incident caused by a piracy attack, armed robbery or being taken hostage\". It has produced guides and training for the maritime industry and has representatives in India, the Philippines and Ukraine.

Mr Chirag Bahri, MPHRP Regional Director for South Asia, said that the organisation \"will support the crew and families in the best possible ways\".