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.