The Chinese hospital ship, the Ark of Peace, is a humanitarian effort by the Chinese government to provide health care to developing countries or areas in which there have been natural disasters or other crises. The ship has full hospital facilities on board, including operating rooms, clinics and access to physicians. Venezuela has been in a financial crisis for months, with hyperinflation making it impossible for citizens to buy medical supplies, fuel, and even food. Millions have fled the country due to the harsh conditions and hospitals are nearly nonexistent, with no staff, equipment or drugs to treat disease. The Venezuelan government is trying to set the situation to rights, with banking and currency changes, but progress is slow.
The Ark of Peace has been around the globe on its mission to provide healthcare. It’s visited 38 countries and will continue to go where supplies and care are needed. The Venezuelan government has welcomed the sailors and medical staff from the ship and announced that China is a partner with them on moving the country out of its recent troubles and into a better future for the Venezuelan people.