WHO WE ARE
Our Organisation
Mercy Ships Australia (a key member of the Mercy Ships global partnership) was founded in 2001. A global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978, bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor by mobilising people and resources worldwide, Mercy Ships serves all people without regard for race, gender or religion.
A dream that began in a young man’s heart has become reality — a state-of-the-art hospital ship that delivers hope and healing to people around the globe living in dire circumstances.
Mercy Ships uses state-of-the-art hospital ships that deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development aid to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.66 billion, with more than 2.77 million direct beneficiaries. Each year, more than 1,000 volunteers from over 40 nations serve with Mercy Ships. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and support staff donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time.
HOW DONATIONS ARE ALLOCATED
Mercy Ships is committed to being completely transparent with you. From every $1 donation, 87c goes straight to our Ship and Field Operations to provide surgeries and medical care to those who have no other hope. As little as 13c is set aside for the cost of raising volunteers and funds and overhead expenses.
Where does the money come from?
Most of our donations come from regular people who generously donate whatever they can, as small or as large as that amount may be. Money donated to Mercy Ships Australia comes from many areas of the community, including individuals, organisations, and wills and bequests.
Our Organisation
Mercy Ships Australia is a charity registered in Australia with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and governed by the Australian Board, who are responsible to 114 Australian members. The Australian Office, based in Caloundra, Queensland, is part of a global network of offices whose mission is to promote the important work of Mercy Ships and undertake volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and procurement of materials and services.
The work of Mercy Ships is to provide relief of sickness and the promotion of health of the poor and disadvantaged in developing countries.
The objectives of Mercy Ships Australia are to:
- recruit sufficient volunteers for each year’s field missions;
- raise sufficient funds and materials for each year’s field missions; and
- generate awareness of the important work of Mercy Ships
Our Impact
- 75.3% – Hospital | Surgical Medical Services 75.3%
- 6.4% – Hospital | Non-Surgical Medical Services 6.4%
- 2.7% – Medical Capacity Building Mentoring 2.7%
- 15.1% – Medical Capacity Building Courses 15.1%
- 0.5% – Infrastructure Projects 0.5%
Accreditation
Mercy Ships Australia is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) . The charity is an income tax exempt institution and a deductible gift recipient (DGR Item 1).