Thousands of Church members aid in Hurricane Ian recovery.
When it comes to providing relief following a crisis, the focus often centers on meeting the physical needs of those affected. It is important, however, to not overlook the emotional challenges that they may also be experiencing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to provide both physical and psychological aid to all who may be impacted by an emergency.
113 projects were focused on aiding displaced persons.
—Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, First Counselor of the Presiding Bishopric
Last year, the area of Lahaina on the island of Maui was devastated by wildfires, leaving most residents homeless. In addition to providing emergency shelter, the Church also sent Family Services counselors to provide psychological first aid to Church members who had been impacted by the disaster. The counselors were able to comfort those who lost family members or homes and who witnessed others suffer.
In Ukraine, Family Services provided virtual emotional support seminars for individuals impacted by the war. Topics included teaching survivors healthy coping skills and ways to stay calm during an emergency. They also provided a virtual forum on post-traumatic stress disorder.
Family Services also worked to provide Church leaders and members with resources like Tips for Emotional Preparedness and Being Prepared Through Emotional Resilience. These resources help individuals be emotionally prepared to face life challenges and emergency situations. These resources help individuals be emotionally prepared to face life challenges and emergency situations.
Latter-day Saints gather together to help give disaster relief on the Hawaiian island of Maui on August 2023.
In southern Türkiye and northern Syria, millions of people were impacted by successive earthquakes that devastated the region. The Church was quick to respond, working with multiple relief organizations in the affected areas. The Church helped to set up hundreds of temporary, prefabricated homes, as well as five mobile field hospitals with surgical units to replace damaged medical facilities.
In May, thousands of people in Malawi were displaced when the area was impacted by a 36-day tropical cyclone (the longest in recorded history). In addition to providing tents, blankets, and support to mobile clinics, the Church also sheltered hundreds of community members who had lost their homes. Church members shared food with these individuals, arranged travel to help some be with family members, and cared for others until they could find suitable housing.
Photo courtesy of ShelterBox USA.
In line with its stated aim to provide humanitarian assistance around the world, including areas of conflict, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with multiple international relief agencies in Gaza and Israel to provide significant financial resources for critical medical and mental health care, among other needs.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to address the needs of those impacted by natural disasters, conflict, and other emergencies using solutions that provide dignity and lead to self-reliance.