June 13, 2008
USNS Mercy and ACDI/VOCA Join Forces in the Philippines
On May 1 the Military Sealift Command (MCS) hospital ship, USNS Mercy, departed from its homeport in San Diego, California to begin Pacific Partnership 2008: a humanitarian visit to Southeast Asia that brings together efforts from military and civilian agencies in the region. During the four-month deployment USNS Mercy will visit the Federated States of Micronesia, Vietnam, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Republic of the Philippines. The mission will focus on providing medical, dental, veterinarian and construction assistance services to communities in need.
From May 29 to June 12 ACDI/VOCA Country Representative George Dalire and his staff supported the 2008 USNS Mercy humanitarian mission in the Mindanao region, one of three locations the USNS Mercy visited in the Philippines providing healthcare to an estimated 26,383 people and veterinary care to 4,367 animals.
The ACDI/VOCA SHIELD (Sustainable Health Improvements through Empowerment and Local Development) project provided support in three key areas 1) profiling (collecting health indicators) in the areas to be visited, 2) pre-visit coordination among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the US Navy, local village, municipal, provincial health offices and school officials, and 3) forming local health teams to work with Mercy's health personnel. SHIELD project staff worked with local health personnel and USNS crew members as early as December 2007 gathering data and arranging provisions for local volunteers. In addition, SHIELD arranged educational visits with local health professionals and USNS Mercy staff in Cotabato City..
Local leaders, the USAID Mission Director and U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenny were present at the opening ceremonies during which Mr. Dalire accepted five pallets donated items, including food to school supplies, for "Project Handclasp" (see photo at left).
By the end of the mission in Mindanao, the USNS Mercy had treated 10,972 medical patients and 2,364 dental patients, completed 316 surgeries and completed 2 major engineering projects and biomedical repairs valued at $1.1 million.
This is ACDI/VOCA’s second collaboration with a USNS Mercy. ACDI/VOCA’s EnRICH project was involved in the Mercy’s first mission to the Philippines in 2006. During the EnRICH program ACDI/VOCA rehabilitated a floating clinic, a boat which is still used to transport medical supplies and personnel to the 307 small islands and islets of the Mindanao region.
ACDI/VOCA has been active in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through an ongoing health project that has improved access to health services for residents throughout the area. In 2006, ACDI/VOCA started working in conjunction with Helen Keller International on SHIELD. The SHIELD project helps regional and local governments and smaller communities in the ARMM region implement programs to improve family planning and health-related activities for women and children. Part of the project’s primary activities includes trainings and workshops for community members, health professionals and government officials. These trainings apply ACDI/VOCA’s emphasis on sustainability by increasing the capacity of local experts to educate community organizations, health professionals, leaders and advocates long after the project has finished.
To learn more about ACDI/VOCA's work in the Philippines, click here.