Canadians Advancing Surgical Capacity in Africa
Mercy Ships Canada connects people across Canada with the international work of Mercy Ships.
Through volunteer service, charitable giving and partnerships, Canadians help support hospital ships that provide free surgical care while working alongside African healthcare professionals and institutions to strengthen surgical systems for the future.
Mercy Ships Canada is a registered Canadian charity based in Victoria, British Columbia, serving donors, volunteers and partners across the country.
Our role is to help Canadians participate meaningfully in the wider Mercy Ships mission — through their skills, generosity and long-term support.
Part of a Global Mission
Mercy Ships began in 1978 with a simple but ambitious idea: use hospital ships to bring safe surgical care to people who have little access to it.
Today, Mercy Ships operates the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy, partnering with African nations to provide free surgery, education and training, and support for stronger surgical systems.
Mercy Ships Canada is part of that international mission.
While Mercy Ships International operates the hospital ships and oversees international programs, Mercy Ships Canada helps make that work possible by connecting Canadians to it — through giving, volunteering and support for specific programs and projects.
Mercy Ships is a global organization with offices around the world to further our mission of increasing healthcare for all.
About Us
What Does Mercy Ships Canada Do?
There is a lot happening behind every surgery.
Hospital ships need medical professionals, engineers, cooks, teachers, technicians, administrators and many other skilled people. Programs need funding. Equipment needs to be purchased. Volunteers need to be recruited and supported.
That is where Mercy Ships Canada comes in.
We connect Canadian volunteers with opportunities to serve
Canadians serve aboard Mercy Ships in medical and non-medical roles, bringing professional experience and a willingness to serve where their skills are needed. Mercy Ships Canada helps recruit and support those volunteers as they prepare to join an international crew.
We connect Canadian generosity with practical needs
Donations made through Mercy Ships Canada help support the wider Mercy Ships mission — including surgical care, medical training, equipment, infrastructure and other projects.
Canadian individuals, families, businesses, churches, foundations and community partners all play a part.
We help tell the Mercy Ships story in Canada
Many Canadians have never had to wonder whether a safe surgery will be available when they need one.
That is not true everywhere.
Mercy Ships Canada helps Canadians understand the global need for surgical care and invites them to become part of the response.
Canadian volunteers on board the Africa Mercy in Madagascar.
Canadians on Board
One of the remarkable things about Mercy Ships is that the ships themselves are communities.
Surgeons work alongside nurses. Engineers work alongside teachers. Cooks, electricians, pharmacists, technicians and administrators all contribute to keeping a floating hospital running.
Canadian volunteers are part of that community.
Some serve for a few weeks or months. Others make much longer commitments. Together, they bring professional skill, compassion and a willingness to serve alongside people from around the world.
More Than Surgery
A hospital ship can provide life-changing surgery today. But Mercy Ships also wants the impact to continue after the ship leaves.
That is why education and training are an important part of the work. Mercy Ships works alongside local healthcare professionals, hospitals, universities and governments to help strengthen surgical systems and build long-term capacity.
The goal is not simply to perform more surgeries. It is to work with African partners toward a future where more people can receive safe surgical care within their own countries.
Stewarding Canadian Support
When Canadians give to Mercy Ships Canada, we believe they should be able to see how those resources are being stewarded.
Mercy Ships Canada is a registered Canadian charity. Our financial statements are independently audited, our Annual Reports and financial information are publicly available, and we are accredited by Imagine Canada.
Canadian Charitable Registration #: 89064-8249-RR0001
There Is a Place for You
You do not have to be a surgeon to be part of Mercy Ships.
Some Canadians serve onboard. Others give financially, become monthly supporters, involve their businesses or churches, or simply introduce someone else to the mission.
Each plays a different part in helping bring hope and healing to people who need surgical care.
