The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborates with humanitarian organizations throughout Europe to ease suffering and those in distress. As International Humanitarian Day is celebrated around the globe on 19 August, the First Presidency of the Church shared a summary of the humanitarian work accomplished during 2023. European countries and recipients received a good portion of the aid and care given last year.
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Eric Rottermann, Europe Central Area Humanitarian Service Manager for the Church, oversees these projects, many of them on-going. He said, “Seeing what is accomplished with the generous donations of time and money of ordinary members of the church is mesmerizing. Each project that is implemented is yet another sign of God’s immense love for his children.”
In 2023, Church humanitarian activities in Europe focused largely on helping populations impacted by civil conflict and natural disasters, many of whom experienced needs for shelter and other basics, as well as mental and physical health care.
The First Presidency said, “When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He imparted two great commandments: to love God and to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). As we seek to show our love for God, our hearts naturally turn toward the well-being of others. Christ Himself set the example of loving our neighbor as He healed the sick, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and cared for the vulnerable.”
Below is a summary of the aid given in Europe in 2023 to continue the sacred work of caring for those in need.
79 emergency response projects
Following the damage caused by massive earthquakes in February, the Church collaborated with Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority and the Ministry of Health to provide extensive aid for survivors. As a result of this collaboration, five mobile hospitals and 500 housing containers were set up, and food, water, and hygiene supplies were provided to help thousands of individuals and families.
242 projects helping vulnerable populations
In some areas of Europe, 2023 saw an upswing in the number of people struggling to maintain their own housing—either due to conflict or personal challenges. The Church responded with several projects to address homelessness, including a project in Italy with Progetto Arca to provide clothing and food for those in need. This included a mobile kitchen, which allowed for hot meals to be served to individuals in need across seven cities.
37 emergency projects focused on aiding displaced persons
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Church offered psychological first aid and emotional care to individuals impacted by the violence and displacement. Church volunteers in Portugal also assembled awareness ribbons in support of breast cancer research. And in Russia, the Church donated devices to assist children with visual impairments and speech disorders.
Members and Church leaders are mindful of the challenges facing people throughout the world. Below is a summary of the care provided worldwide during 2023.
Worldwide aid
4,119 humanitarian projects in 2023
$1.36 billion in expenditures
6.2 million hours volunteered
191 countries and territories served
7,959,670 Relief Society members worldwide
11,368 welfare and self-reliance missionaries
206 clean water, hygiene and sanitation projects
921 projects helping women and children
374 projects serving the homeless
415 emergency relief projects
113 emergency projects aiding displaced persons
601 healthcare projects
64 mobility projects
530 food security projects
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with professional organizations that align with our vision to care for those in need,” said the Church’s Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé. “Our collaborations help us extend the impact of our efforts throughout the world as we follow the example of Jesus Christ to love and serve our neighbor.”
The full 43-page summary is available in 17 languages at Caring.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Many of the projects listed in the summary are made possible by collaboration with organizations such as WaterAid, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, Water for People, ShelterBox and more.