The MV Pacific Hope has been providing dental and eye surgery to people in the region including remote areas of Vanuatu.
But after the devastation caused by three hurricanes, the ship is getting ready for a four-week long trip to the Carribean.
It is operated by the New Zealand faith-based charity Marine Reach whose chief executive David Cowie said the need is extremely serious.
"Our flag state for our vessel is Dominica and Dominica is a small island nation that was just basically flattened," said Mr Cowie.
