The Church News is compiling information about the humanitarian crisis caused by armed conflict in Eastern Europe. This article will be updated.
July 6 — From donating essentials to making pierogies, western Canada welcomes Ukrainian refugees
Displaced Ukrainian refugees are finding open arms and generous hearts in western Canada — specifically, the province of Alberta — according to a recent ChurchofJesusChrist.org report. Canada has the world’s third-largest Ukrainian population, after Ukraine and Russia. In 2016, more than 1.3 million people of Ukrainian origin were residing in Canada — the vast majority of Ukrainian Canadians living in the prairie provinces, including the 350,000 residing in Alberta.
Learn about the efforts to help refugees in Canada
June 11 — More than 1,000 pallets of food latest effort to deliver supplies to those in Ukraine
More than 1,000 pallets of food were delivered to be distributed to people in Ukraine during eight weeks in April and May as part of an emergency relief project. Combined with earlier relief efforts, the Church and its members have donated more than 900 tons of food and other supplies, the Church’s United Kingdom Newsroom reported.
Read how a connection made with a government adviser led to the donations
June 8 — How Latter-day Saints in Poland are serving during the Ukraine conflict
From hosting Ukrainian families in their homes to helping with transportation, food and shelter to facilitating donations back to Ukraine, many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Poland are willing to serve.
Find out how they are serving
May 10 — Packed plane in beloved ‘Candy Bomber’ Gail S. Halvorsen’s name sends supplies to Ukraine
Thousands of pounds of supplies like diapers, baby wipes and school supplies — together with candy and handwritten notes — recently landed in Berlin, Germany, and from there went to Ukraine in an effort named “Operation Little Vittles Two.” Volunteers drew on the example and legacy of Col. Gail. S. Halvorsen, a U.S. Air Force pilot and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affectionately known as the “Candy Bomber” for his efforts during the Berlin Airlift after World War II.
Learn more about 'Operation Little Vittles Two'
May 10 — Why 2 women drive 14 hours to deliver aid to a Ukrainian meetinghouse transformed into a refugee waystation
Delivering relief supplies into eastern Ukraine repeated over the past several months, Kym Reichart and Raphaela Hasse of Schwabmüchen, Germany, have traveled the 14-hour distance from southern Germany, through the Czech Republic and Poland and into Lviv, where a meetinghouse there is not only a collection point for supplies but has transformed into a critical waystation for refugees leaving Ukraine.
See the gathering place
April 27 — How music is an unlikely tool that could help ease the burden of refugees in Europe
An international group of men and women trying to make a difference sat in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle choir seats last week and listened raptly as Elder L. Whitney Clayton, an emeritus General Authority Seventy, shared a relevant story.
Read about how music therapy might improve the mental health of refugees
April 25 — Shoes in Netherlands, suture kits in Switzerland, welcome bags in the United Kingdom
Donated shoes in the Netherlands. Suture sets and medical kits from Switzerland. And welcome bags crafted in the United Kingdom. That and more are among the latest efforts of good works by members and congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Europe to help with the Ukrainian refugee crisis.
The Church has authorized special funds to be used locally by each stake across the Europe North and Europe Central areas for support of Ukrainian refugees.
Learn what Latter-day Saints are doing to help in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
April 24 — Latter-day Saint Ukrainian refugees find rest in Christ, kindness of others
Latter-day Saints in Berlin, Germany, and other European communities have opened their homes and hearts to Ukrainian refugees seeking shelter and peace.
Find out about their experiences
April 23 — ‘Greatly desiring to see thee’: Elder Uchtdorf shares message of joy, encouragement with German-speaking Saints in Austria, Germany and Switzerland
Latter-day Saints, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles acknowledged in a devotional broadcast originating in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, to German-speaking Latter-day Saints in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, are living in a time of uncertainty and danger. They need and pray for one another. “And we recognize the countless good deeds that are happening around us every day.”
Read more about Elder Uchtdorf's remarks
April 11 — Elder Uchtdorf, a former refugee, promises Ukrainian refugees in Poland: ‘You are not alone’
Sunday, April 10, offered a few hours of light and hope dozens of other Latter-day Saint refugees from Ukraine. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and himself a two-time refugee, presided over a devotional for Ukrainian refugees who have found temporary refuge in Poland.
Find out more about Elder Uchtdorf's ministry in Poland
April 10 — Amid Europe’s difficulties, Elder Uchtdorf spends a few minutes of quiet remembrance in Germany
In Berlin, Germany, with his wife, Sister Harriet R. Uchtdorf, at his side, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited several commemorative sites — including the Berlin Wall Monument, the Holocaust Memorial and the Plötzensee Memorial Center. The Memorial Center is at the site of an infamous prison where more than 2,800 inmates were executed, including a 16-year-old teen named Helmuth Hubener, a devout Latter-day Saint and reportedly the youngest person ever ordered to his death by the Third Reich’s People’s court.
The April 9 visits marked a somber afternoon as the Uchtdorfs reflected on the region’s difficult past and the challenging circumstances facing many today in Europe. Later in the afternoon the Uchtdorfs participated in a Germany Berlin Mission Conference.
See where the Uchtdorfs visited in Germany
April 9 — Read about latest humanitarian efforts from across Europe aiding refugees
Since the onset of the Ukrainian crisis, the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services has been proactively involved in hundreds of humanitarian outreach efforts throughout Europe.
Together with local Church leaders and members, Welfare and Self-Reliance Services is coordinating assistance for those of all faiths at border crossings, gathering hubs and local Church buildings.
See pictures of efforts from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Iceland and United Kingdom
April 5 — See how rolling suitcases, border meals, painted furniture and maternity wards provided by European Saints are helping Ukrainian refugees
From rolling suitcases to hot meals, and from painting furniture to creating a maternity center, refugee relief efforts throughout Europe by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members continue to aid displaced Ukrainians.
Read about the latest service in Germany, Moldova, Poland, France, Slovakia and Czech Republic
March 27 — Church donates additional $4 million to 7 projects to help refugees in Europe
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating an additional $4 million for seven projects to help humanitarian efforts in Europe, reported the Church’s United Kingdom Newsroom on Friday, March 25. Welfare and Self Reliance Services also published a manual, “How To Minister to Others During a Crisis,” and in the summary has links to the manual in 14 languages. Also, see how the Church is helping in Hungary, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Find out more about the 7 projects and how members are helping in Hungary, the U.K. and Spain
March 24 — Ukrainian refugees ministered to in many ways around Europe
Latter-day Saints in many European countries minister each day in unexpected ways to individuals fleeing the armed conflict in Ukraine. These efforts take place at the hands of individuals, families, wards, stakes or coordinated across countries.
See how many members of the Church who are Ukrainian refugees have received help so far
March 17 — Church members help refugees in Eastern Europe through online and offline efforts
Church members in several European countries are helping refugees from Ukraine by making monetary donations and providing shelter, food, supplies and other necessities. Many are opening their own homes. Others are providing support online.
Find the websites helping refugees, and see the relief efforts in several countries
March 14 — Church gives $4 million to help refugees in Europe
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given $2 million each to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, and the World Food Programme, or WFP, to help those displaced by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
The funds are being used immediately for core relief items such as blankets, solar lanterns, tents and shelters, said Lacey Stone, UNHCR’s director of private sector engagement and partnerships in the United States.
Read more about where the money will help
March 6 — How the Church, its leaders and members in Europe are providing aid and relief in the humanitarian crisis caused by armed conflict
Amid armed conflict in Europe, leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue to actively participate in humanitarian and relief efforts.
Coordinated efforts by area and local leaders and Church members are occurring in all European countries.
The Church of Jesus Christ is continuing its help not only through member and congregational efforts but also partnering with other relief organizations.
See examples in Germany, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic and others
March 5 — The Church and Latter-day Saint Charities were ready to help refugees in Europe, Sister Eubank explains
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its humanitarian arm, Latter-day Saint Charities, were ready to help refugees from Eastern Europe at the start of the crisis in Ukraine, and the two are committed in Europe — as they have been around the globe — to help people for the long term in rebuilding their societies.
Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency and president of Latter-day Saint Charities, also underscored three basic principles to engage in more effective humanitarian outreach as she spoke Friday, March 4, to a group of international thought leaders.
Learn how reserve funds helped with the quick response
March 5 — Europe Area presidency invites Latter-day Saints in Europe to join in day of prayer, fasting
Mindful of current conflict, commotion and suffering, the Church’s Europe Area presidency invited Latter-day Saints in Europe to take part in an areawide day of fasting and prayer on Sunday, March 6.
As followers of Jesus Christ, “we long for resolution, comfort and peace during these times,” said the letter from the area presidency — Elder Massimo De Feo, Elder Erich W. Kopischke and Elder Ruben V. Alliaud, all General Authority Seventies.
Find out what else the Europe Area Presidency wrote to members
March 3 — How the Church is helping with humanitarian aid in Eastern Europe
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others are asking what the Church is doing to help with the developing humanitarian crisis resulting in Eastern Europe from the current armed conflict and how they themselves can assist.
The Church released a statement Thursday evening, March 3:
“From the earliest hours, the Church began contacting friends and collaborating organizations in the region to assess needs and purchase food and other necessities.”
See the full statement
Feb. 25 — Status of Church’s missionaries in Ukraine, volunteers in Russia
With the ongoing armed conflict in eastern Europe, questions have arisen about the status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ full-time missionaries in Ukraine and full-time volunteers in Russia.
In January, the Church temporarily reassigned full-time missionaries from the Ukraine Kyiv/Moldova and Ukraine Dnipro missions to locations outside of Ukraine. The announcement came in a Jan. 24 statement from Church spokesman Sam Penrod.
On Friday, Feb. 25, Penrod said the Church currently has no foreign full-time volunteers in Russia.
See how many volunteers were reassigned
Feb. 25 — First Presidency issues statement on armed conflict
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a statement on armed conflict, pleading that “peace will prevail among nations and within our own hearts.”
“We are heartbroken and deeply concerned by the armed conflict now raging. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has members in each of the affected areas and throughout the world. Our minds and hearts have been turned toward them and all our brothers and sisters.”
