by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Thu July 16, 2015
In a move that CEO Thomas P. Ostebo calls "a natural fit," the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Mercy Ships as its charity of choice.
In a statement from the CLIA, the partnership with Mercy Ships will help spread the association's initiatives to deliver healthcare to developing nations and make more travelers aware of the organization's mission and efforts.
For those unaware, Mercy Ships is a group that operates floating hospitals that not only provide aid to people in need, but also train the local medical professionals in struggling areas how to best utilize their resources.
CLIA and Mercy Ships are hoping the partnership opens more eyes to what the charity is trying to accomplish. CLIA president and CEO Thomas P. Ostebo released a statement, saying, "We're proud to support the work that Mercy Ships is doing to increase access to healthcare throughout the world. The partnership is a natural fit, and we are delighted to be working with this reputable organization who is making a positive difference in the world."
Mercy Ships uses its hospital ships to provide free healthcare services, and have made major impacts in hundreds of thousands of lives since starting in 1978. The workers at the charitable organization have done 78,000 life-changing operations, 353,000 dental procedures, trained 5,800 local teachers and started 1,100 community development projects.
For more information on Mercy Ships or the partnership with, the CLIA, check out the charity's official website.
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