Together, we are
saving lives
by enabling free surgeries on modern hospital ships for the poorest in Africa.
Support Mercy Ships
Even a small donation can change a life
Provides 5 patients with essential medication
With CHF 25, Mercy Ships can supply vital medicines needed for patients’ recovery after surgery, such as antibiotics or pain relief.
Covers the cost of an eye exam and prescription glasses
CHF 100 enables a full eye examination including glasses, helping people see clearly again and significantly improving their quality of life.
Funds a life-changing surgery to remove a tumor or disfiguring growth
With CHF 500, Mercy Ships can cover the cost of a life-saving operation, freeing patients from painful conditions or disfiguring growths.
Supports the training of a local healthcare worker
CHF 1,000 contributes to training local professionals who will provide medical care within their communities and save lives sustainably over the long term.
Enables a mobile medical team to operate for one week
With CHF 2,000, Mercy Ships can equip a mobile team of doctors, nurses, and technicians to visit remote villages and deliver medical care where it’s otherwise unavailable.
While we enjoy summer here at Badi Altendorf (Rivulet), millions of people are waiting for a surgery that could change their lives. For many, that hope remains out of reach simply because medical care is not available. This is exactly where Mercy Ships steps in.
Founded in Lausanne in 1978, Mercy Ships has spent over 45 years delivering modern medical care to those who need it most—free of charge—using the world’s two largest civilian hospital ships.
This is only possible thanks to dedicated volunteer professionals and generous donors who make life-changing surgeries possible for people who would otherwise have no access to care. Thanks to people like you.
Badi Altendorf is part of this mission. Are you?
A single donation becomes the first wave,
setting hope and healing in motion.
More than surgery – healing that lasts
Our work doesn’t end with an operation. We train local professionals, collaborate with local hospitals, share knowledge, and strengthen healthcare systems on the ground. Our goal is not to create dependency, but to build structures and transfer knowledge. This ensures that medical care becomes sustainably available through local capacity, creating solutions that fit the context—and continue to have impact long after we leave.
Direct medical care
Oral, Maxillofacial
& Facial Surgery
Plastic Reconstructive
Surgery
Orthopedic
Program
General
Surgery
Oral Health
& Dentistry
Palliative
Care
Ophthalmology
(Cataracts)
Gynecological
Surgery
Harimalalas Story
Our hospital ships: the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy
Why ships?
More than half of the world’s population lives within 150 kilometers of a coastline. That makes port cities an ideal point of access for humanitarian work. Mercy Ships can respond flexibly to changing needs and travel to regions where access to safe surgery is most limited. Our ships are equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology and provide a safe, sterile environment for a wide range of surgical procedures.
Three phases for sustainable impact
The deployment of our hospital ships is only one part of the work. Every collaboration with a country is embedded in a multi-year partnership process, co-developed with local stakeholders and designed for long-term impact.
Joint Needs Assessment
Effective Deployment of Our Ships
Sustainable Follow-Up
Mercy Ships works closely with health authorities, governments, and local professionals to understand the real needs. Surgical capacity, training gaps, and infrastructure are assessed together. Based on this, a joint plan for the hospital ship’s deployment is developed.
For around ten months, our hospital ships are stationed in the host country’s port. More than 1,000 volunteer professionals provide free surgeries and treatments, train local healthcare workers, and support local hospitals.
After departure, teams continue to support implementation on the ground. Together with local partners, progress is evaluated and remaining needs are identified. These insights help strengthen long-term collaboration and improve future deployments.
Joint Needs Assessment
Effective Deployment of Our Ships
Sustainable Follow-Up
Are you ready to create a wave of hope?
With your donation, you help make life-changing surgeries possible and give the poorest people in Africa a new future. Every contribution brings healing to where it is needed most.
