Mercy Ships is an international humanitarian organization that uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services and medical capacity building in the world's poorest nations. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in over 70 countries, providing $1.53 billion in services to more than 2.71 million direct beneficiaries. Every year over 1000 volunteers from up to 40 nations volunteer onboard the Africa Mercy, the world's largest civilian hospital ship.

Latest life-changing stories

Adama
Love At First Sight

Saliou
Saliou's Story

Aliou
Hope, Healing, and an Open Door

Mairamou
Mairamou’s New Beginning

A New Smile

Mouhamed
Regaining Confidence

Marie Madeleine
Most Likely to Succeed

Benessa
Finding Joy

Gnilane
Dreams of Being a Doctor

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92,296+

surgical procedures performed since 1978.

Surgical Programs

41,540+

health care professionals trained since 1978.

Local Capacity Building

1,100+

volunteers from 62 nations onboard the Africa Mercy every year.

Volunteer Today!

Latest news

16.09.2020

From #FirstWorldProblems to #WorldProblemsFirst

How the Mercy Ships campaign ignites a new conversation Is your phone’s Face ID not

04.09.2020

A ‘One-of-a-Kind’ Hospital Ship

The deployment of the USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort in recent months to American cities overwhelmed by COVID-19 has

Mercy Ships Canada on Instagram

Today there are as many as five billion people who...

Today there are as many as five billion people who

Today there are as many as five billion people who do not have access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia services worldwide. This lack of basic healthcare has taken more lives than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and the coronavirus combined.With igniting the #WorldProblemsFirst conversation, we want to inspire people to identify with the humanity of those whose stories we tell, educate on how to address the healthcare challenges and move to take action.#firstworldproblems #WorldProblemsFrist #takeaction #humanity #safesurgery #global #healthcare #MercyShips

New Zealander’s Kathy and Sinclair Carter are ...

New Zealander’s Kathy and Sinclair Carter are bo

New Zealander’s Kathy and Sinclair Carter are both semi-retired and initially volunteered with Mercy Ships for three months. They felt this was a perfect opportunity to do something more with their skills: Sinclair has a maritime engineering background and Kathy has worked in healthcare. When COVID-19 prevented overseas travel and new volunteers could not get to the #AfricaMercy, the couple willingly extended their stay onboard. Thank you for your service Kathy and Sinclair—we would not be able to do what we do, without people like you!#volunteer #MercyShips #transformlives #africa #canada #opportunityawaits #seafarers #maritime #retiredlife #AfricaMercy

Walking on straight legs isn't usually ...

Walking on straight legs isn't usually something t

Walking on straight legs isn't usually something that's commemorated, but on the #AfricaMercy it's always cause for celebration! 12-year-old Diarga is now taking the next step in a life where nothing is impossible!#new life #impossiblepossible #thatsmile #hope #healing #MercyShips

Even when surgery is not an option, Mercy Ships is...

Even when surgery is not an option, Mercy Ships is

Even when surgery is not an option, Mercy Ships is still here to provide #hope. Our team of Palliative Care nurses work to connect and provide care for our patients inland. Thank you to nurses like Mariam Ibrahim (GHA) and Christina van der Zande (NLD) for your service!#palliative #volunteer #MercyShips #AfricaMercy #hope #healing

Manda Andriamanga, Transportation and Maintenance ...

Manda Andriamanga, Transportation and Maintenance

Manda Andriamanga, Transportation and Maintenance Manager, is hard at work on the #AfricaMercy making sure our fleet of vehicles are kept in top shape. With around 30 vehicles under his supervision, it's safe to say he's got no trouble staying busy!#AfricaMercy #MercyShips #transport #volunteer #keepingbusy

We are so grateful our crew has remained ...

We are so grateful our crew has remained COVID-fre

We are so grateful our crew has remained COVID-free! This is largely due to our amazing volunteers who take proper safety precautions in their daily operations. Together, we emerge stronger!

Healing is on its way! As we speak, supplies are ...

Healing is on its way! As we speak, supplies are h

Healing is on its way! As we speak, supplies are headed to our dental clinic in Guinea! As renovations on-site are fully underway, we can't wait to see things fall into place so that Gamal Abdel Nasser University can continue to teach and provide quality care in their updated facility. Thank you for the part you are playing in making all of this possible!#dental #reno #hope #healing #Guinea #MercyShips

At the HOPE Center, Satou was able to mingle with ...

At the HOPE Center, Satou was able to mingle with

At the HOPE Center, Satou was able to mingle with many other children who like her had been outcast because of a physical disability or deformity. Who, just like her, were in casts and learning to walk again on their newly straightened legs. For the first time in her life, she wasn't the odd one out! Going forward, our hope is that each of the children who received free surgery will experience a life of inclusion.#MercyShips #thatsmile #kidsbeingkids #learningtowalk #inclusion #newlife #hope #healing

As in many cultures around the world, rice is a ...

As in many cultures around the world, rice is a st

As in many cultures around the world, rice is a staple in just about every meal on the #AfricaMercy. Thank you to our supply team, who works hard to make sure our food services team has everything they need to continue keeping food on the table!#food #foodforlife #gratitude #MercyShips #foodservice #volunteers

Look everyone – no walker or crutches! Satou ...

Look everyone – no walker or crutches! Satou rea

Look everyone – no walker or crutches! Satou really enjoyed her time at the HOPE Center, where she was encouraged to do as much physical therapy as possible and was soon walking without any assistance! At this rate, her previously windswept legs will no longer struggle to support her running around just as much as any little girl should.#hope #healing #MercyShips #thatsmile #happiness #kidsbeingkids

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