Tawi-Tawi, Philippines - (June 13, 2006) - The hospital ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), is anchored off of the coast of Tawi-Tawi, during its one week stay while providing a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region of the South Philippines. This care is provided by a portion of Mercy's staff working side by side with their Filipino counterparts at several medical centers in the city, as well as patients being given care on the ship itself. Mercy's stop in Tawi-Tawi is the first of many, during its humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice and is capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs with special medical equipment and a multi-specialized medical team, providing a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities.