The Malta-based search and rescue charity the Migrant Offshore Aid Station has received more than €1 million in donations from all over the world in the past two days in what it has described as “a tidal wave of humanity”.

Since the photos of the drowned body of a Syrian toddler on a Turkish beach were published, MOAS has been among many NGOs receiving this overwhelming support.

Donations have poured in every few seconds from all over the world, including from the US, UK, Turkey, Germany and Brazil.

Meanwhile, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched on Indiegogo to help buy at least one more boat for Moas.

Entitled #PeoplesArmada, the campaign is seeking to raise an additional $3 million.

Since the launch of operations in August 2014, Moas has saved over 11,000 lives from sinking boats in the Mediterranean Sea.

“We are experiencing a tidal wave of humanity after years of global indifference. One photo has changed people’s hearts and minds the world over. We are all now realising this is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions and we need all hands on deck.

“People are donating to charities like ours because they want to do something concrete to help. It is time world leaders get together to do the same,” Moas director Martin Xuereb said.

Mr Xuereb, a former Armed Forces of Malta commander, said donations will have big implications for what is a small but very effective organisation.

“We may be able to expand our mission’s reach to other parts of the Mediterranean and beyond. Our long-term vision is to enhance our capabilities to mitigate loss of life all year round. At the moment, our current levels of funding limit us to one vessel operating for six months every year – and we have already saved so many lives. Imagine what we can do with significantly more funding,” he added.

The operational costs of MOAS are upwards of €500,000 each month.