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Summary is AI-generated, newsdesk-reviewed
  • VIKING equips Africa Mercy with new life rafts, enhancing maritime safety standards.
  • Mercy Ships' collaboration with VIKING optimises healthcare operations for vulnerable communities.
  • Partnership supports UN Sustainable Development Goals in health, education, and poverty reduction.

Mercy Ships is very grateful to announce that the organisation has brought the global, Denmark-based company VIKING Life-Saving Equipment on board.

VIKING will replace the life rafts on the old Storebælt-ferry, Africa Mercy, and thus contribute to ensure that the ship meets the highest safety standards in the future as well.

VIKING's life rafts

Since its founding in 1960, VIKING's life rafts and other safety solutions have contributed to creating safety and to saving people in life-threatening situations at sea.

"VIKING has committed to protecting and saving lives all over the world, and this matches perfectly with Mercy Ships' mission," says CEO Henrik Uhd Christensen. "That is why this collaboration with Mercy Ships in so many ways is both obvious, meaningful and filled with synergy.”

What is Mercy Ships' primary task?

VIKING's life rafts and other safety solutions have contributed to creating safety and to saving people

Mercy Ships Denmark's general secretary, Vibeke Hauge Førrisdahl, is also delighted with the partnership: “The massive support we have received from VIKING is fantastic for Mercy Ships. Safety at sea is crucial to our entire work and VIKING’s support ensures that our deployed volunteers and local patients feel safe on board our hospital ships."

"VIKING’s choice to support Mercy Ships means that more funds can go uncut to what is Mercy Ships' primary task i.e., to ensure operations and improved healthcare for some of the world's most vulnerable."

Promotes the sustainable development goals

When they choose to enter into partnership with Mercy Ships, they are especially helping to achieve the Goal no. 3 "Good Health and well-being" and 4 "Quality education". In addition, Mercy Ships also works with Goals 1 "No poverty",2 "Zero hunger" and 17 "Partnerships for the goals".

Henrik Uhd Christensen: "We are proud to be able to support Mercy Ships' significant work with, among other things, bringing safe surgery to children and adults who otherwise do not have access or can afford it. Together, we lift the UN's SDG’s, concerning human survival and health. We are going all in to ensure a fair and sustainable world for everyone."

In connection with the replacement of the life rafts on Africa Mercy, a report on VIKING's meeting with Mercy Ships' patients and Danish volunteers on board the ship will be published next year.

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