Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgery. Children, teens, and adults suffer and die every day from treatable causes, and one child in eight will die before age 5. That’s why we’ve worked to provide free surgeries and medical care to people in need for over 40 years. And why we won’t stop until everyone has access to the care they need.
Over 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast. That’s why our ships are the best way to reach people with personalized, state-of-the-art medical care. Each year we send hospital ships filled with volunteer professionals who selflessly provide life-changing surgeries to children and adults who otherwise would go without.
Ulrich learned to adapt to his condition using walking sticks to get around.
Ulrich was born with muscles in his legs that didn’t develop at the same rate as his bones, leaving his legs bent drastically backward. The severity of his condition and the lack of available healthcare meant left Ulrich unnaturally bent over. Despite constant stares and ridicule, Ulrich learned to adapt to his condition. Then Ulrich arrived on the Africa Mercy and underwent several complex surgeries to straighten his legs. Now standing tall, Ulrich looks his future in the eye!
Therapy strengthens Ulrich's legs.
Ulrich delights in his strengthened legs.
Our non-emergency hospital ships stay in port for 10-months at a time to help the most people and build long-term medical capacity in the areas we serve.
Many communities have little to no access to timely, safe, affordable surgical care, so we work to answer the call of providing free surgery to those in need.
Volunteers are the heart of our work. Doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers and more, from over 60 nations pay their own way to give their time, talent, and hearts to help transform the lives of others.
Our ships are the world’s largest civilian hospital ships and our nonprofit mission is possible thanks to corporate donations of supplies and the gifts of generous people like you.
More than 2 million lives around the world have been impacted surgical care, medical training, and infrastructure development.
80 cents of every dollar Mercy Ships spends goes straight to our ships and field operations to provide surgeries and world-class medical care to those who have no other hope. Plus, every dollar received multiplies in value, thanks to the support of our generous corporate sponsors.
2M+ LIVES IMPACTED Through surgical care, medical training, and infrastructure development, we impact millions.