Democratic Republic of the Congo Officials Visit Mercy Ships

Garden Valley, TX, April 19, 2011 – Mercy Ships hosted dignitaries from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at their International Operations Center in Garden Valley, Texas.

Mercy Ships President and Founder Don Stephens signed a protocol alongside DRC’s Minister of Health, Mr. Victor Makwenge Kaput. This marks the first step in collaboration between Mercy Ships and Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mercy Ships personnel will assess the country’s medical infrastructure and determine how Mercy Ships can help address the population’s health needs.

Don Stephens stated, “We are delighted to work with Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ruben Martin of Martin Marine of Kilgore has been most helpful in providing design expertise for a future hospital ship on the river.”

Several options are being explored through this partnership. One is collaborating to bring a floating hospital that could navigate 2,500 kilometers up the Congo River from Kinshasa, the capital of DRC. This method could serve 10 million people along its journey up the Congo River. Other ideas were also discussed during the group’s four-hour meeting.

Also in attendance were Peter Schulze, Mercy Ships International Board Vice Chairman; Jim Paterson, Vice President of International Operations; Mark Thompson, Vice President of International Programs; Dr. Andrew Clark, Director of Organizational Development; and Ken Berry, Director of Marine Operations. The Minister of Health was accompanied by two advisors, Dr. Johnny Kalonji Malaba and Mrs. Liliane Tshal Kalong.   

This will be the first time that Mercy Ships, founded over 30 years ago, has worked with Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks second to last – 168 out of 169 – on the World Health Organization’s Human Development Index. This is an important factor when Mercy Ships assesses countries in West Africa. 

“The Democratic Republic of Congo is in a developmental phase as it comes out of a post-conflict era,” says Minister of Health Kaput. “It needs dedicated partners to come alongside and help it rebuild its health care system. Mercy Ships’ unique experience and capabilities represent a strong potential resource. This is the reason we are here today – to sign a protocol and discuss how we can collaborate in capacity-building and other ways of serving the people of the DRC.  The delegation is very pleased with the outcome of our meetings, and we look forward to a long-term relationship with Mercy Ships.”

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ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world.  Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $834 million, impacting more than 2.9 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations.  Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort.  Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information click on www.mercyships.org

Contact Information
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