Mercy Ships Holland

Rotterdam | March 19, 2010 - Twenty years ago today, the Rotterdam office of Mercy Ships Holland was established.  In 1990, the former flagship of the Mercy Ships, the Anastasis, first came to the Netherlands, on its way to the African continent for the first time.   In that year, Captain Menno Gort with his family and nurse Jelly van der Wal disembarked ship to return home to their country and to found Mercy Ships Holland.

Mercy Ships in Netherlands

Mercy Ships is now still focused primarily on West Africa and the office in Rotterdam is a major part of the supply of the current flagship, the Africa Mercy.  The Africa Mercy has been in Togo since February  2010. Each month, a container leaves for the ship’s port with crucial supplies for the ship; mostly donated or procured at a discount. From just 8,000 Dutch supporters in 2002, Mercy Ships Holland has grown to more than 30,000 supporters involved in assisting with the international work of the hospital ship..

Togo

Togo is one of the 20 poorest and least developed countries in the world. The country is number 159 of 182 on the United Nations Development Index 2009 (HDI). An estimated 70% of the population lives on less than $ 2 per day. There is little access to health care, even for those who can afford it. There is only 1 doctor for every 28,500 inhabitants, compared to 74 doctors for every 28,500 people in the western world. Of every 1000 live births die 140 children under 5 years, compared with an average of 8 deaths in 1000 live births in Europe and the United States. (Source: UN Development Index 2009)

Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is a Christian charity, operating hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 and providing medical, dental care and training in health care and agriculture. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor and offers assistance to all people regardless of race, gender or religion. For more information go to: www.mercyships.nl

Note to editors - 

For further information, hi-res photos and video clips about Mercy Ships go to www.mercyshipsnews.org or contact Mercy Ships Holland in Rotterdam.

Please credit photos / clips: © Mercy Ships

An overview of all projects of the Africa Mercy is available on request. Interviews with Dutch crew may be arranged via the ship’s satellite connection.
Geertje Ramsoebhag - van der Pol / Carolina Ullersm
Mercy Ships Holland   Afdeling PR & Communications
Tel:  010 - 41 028 77 /Tel: 06 - 140 26 345