U.S. Navy Ship Mercy Continues Aid Mission in Southeast Asia
22 June 2006
After visit to Philippines, Mercy heading to Indonesia, Bangladesh, East Timor
Washington -- The U.S. Navy ship (USNS) Mercy is continuing its five-month mission in Southeast Asia, traveling to Indonesia, Bangladesh and East Timor after rebuilding local facilities and providing medical aid and training in the Philippines.
"The crew of the USNS Mercy, along with its partners from civilian organizations and the Philippine Government and Armed Forces, were able to help thousands of Filipinos get back on their feet, feel healthy, and get the medical treatment that they needed," U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney said in a press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Manila June 20.
"This ship's visit was a powerful symbol of our two nations' partnership to bring greater peace and prosperity to the country," Kenney said. "I'm thrilled that the U.S. Government was able to partner with our Philippine friends in such a remarkable way." (See related article.)
During their monthlong stay, the Mercy's crew and its civilian partners helped residents of Manila, Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi Tawi by providing medical services, dental assistance and participating in humanitarian projects, according to the embassy press release. Medical teams treated patients in the Mercy's on-board facilities and at hospitals and medical centers in various port cities. In total, the Mercy's crew and its partners interacted with more than 50,000 local residents, trained more than 700 local professionals and performed medical operations on more than 300 persons.
Personnel from the Naval Construction Force (Seabees)took part in 74 projects throughout the country, repairing buildings, installing electrical wiring and training local construction workers in building maintenance.
On June 9, the ship was visited by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Mercy mission focuses on needs identified by the host nations. However, a number of other nations are supporting the Mercy's interagency and international team effort. Mercy last was deployed to Southeast Asia in the aftermath of the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami. (See U.S. Response to Tsunami.)
For more information on U.S. policies, see East Asia and the Pacific.
The full text of the U.S. Embassy in Manila's news release is available on the embassy's Web site.
The full text of an article on the Mercy's visit to the Philippines is available on the Navy's Web site.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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