Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgery. Children, teens, and adults suffer and die every day from treatable conditions, and one child out of eight will die before age 5. That’s why — through the support of friends like you — we send hospital ships to provide free surgeries to people in need.
We are driven by innovation. Powered by compassion.
We invite you to be a part.
Since more than 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast, our state-of-the art hospital ships are the best way to reach people with the latest medical technology and personalized 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.
Thanks to the generosity of a committed donor, your gift today will be matched.
Mansare coming up the gangway, steps away from life being forever transformed.
Mansare grew up in Guinea with a condition known as bowed legs. It made walking, running, and playing with friends impossible. “Every time he would try to run, he would fall down,” his mother says. “I looked for treatment everywhere with no success.” After years of watching him struggle, Mansare’s family learned about Mercy Ships and discovered we would be coming to a nearby port to provide free surgery. They eagerly made the journey to our hospital ship. Once at the Africa Mercy, his life was changed forever by our volunteer medical crew and physical therapists. After two months of recovery on board, Mansare and his family returned home with new hope for the future.
Mansare stole our hearts during his recovery and rehabilitation.
Today, Mansare can play soccer just like any other child in his village.
Our hospital ships stay in port for months to provide hope and healing to hundreds 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. These dedicated volunteers 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. 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 through 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.