The International Association of Cruise Lines collaborates with Ships of Hope to improve the health and well-being of developing countries.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has selected the Naves de Esperanza Foundation as its partner NGO. Through this collaboration, CLIA will work with Naves de Esperanza to raise awareness of its initiatives to improve medical services in developing countries, particularly among CLIA member organizations.
Ships of Hope operates hospital ships, providing surgeries and other medical services to people in need. The partnership with CLIA will raise awareness of Ships of Hope's work within the cruise industry and facilitate collaboration with CLIA and its members.
“We are proud to support the mission of Ships of Hope and to improve access to healthcare worldwide,” said Thomas P. Ostebo, President and CEO of CLIA International. “The collaboration between our two organizations is a natural fit, and we are very pleased to partner with such a prestigious organization that is having such a positive impact on the world.”.
“The support of CLIA, as the largest association representing the cruise industry, is invaluable to our organization,” explained Donovan Palmer, Managing Director of Ships of Hope. “Their expertise in the cruise industry and their assistance in finding partners within the sector will be immeasurable.”.
Ships of Hope uses hospital ships to provide free surgeries, improve the level of available medical care, and provide development aid in areas of great need. Ships of Hope volunteers have helped in many parts of the world. These are just a few examples:
- 78,000 surgeries, including cleft lip, palate repair, cataract removal, orthopedic procedures, facial reconstruction and obstetric fistula repair, among others.
- 335,000 dental procedures.
- It has trained 5,800 local teachers.
- It has trained 35,300 local professionals in various areas (anesthesiology, midwifery, sterilization of surgical instruments, orthopedic and reconstructive surgery and medical management).
- Health education to 183,000 local people.
- 1,100 community development projects focused on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.
