Humanitarian Services

   With the recent happenings in Japan, with the earthquake there, I have decided to write a post today about the humanitarian efforts of the church.        


                                                             


    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes in countries all over the world. Projects operate without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients. Humanitarian service may include emergency response to natural disasters, such as an earthquake or a tsunami, or man-made disasters, such as the effects of war and famine.   Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then immediately sent to the area.  After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to help with the long-term needs of the community.  


         Donations, principally from Church members but also from people around the world, are used to make relief projects possible. One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.   The Church  provided immediate  assistance in December 2004 to the tsunami-hit areas of Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The Church sent food and emergency supplies from the United States to the devastated areas.  In some areas, Church leaders, missionaries and Church members have worked to help individuals return to their livelihoods. Fishermen, farmers and weavers have been given the necessary tools that allow them to work and provide for themselves, their families and their communities.

     I am so grateful to be a member of this church, I know that as we serve others we are only serving our God.  May we all help out in whatever way we can to assist those who stand in need of our help.