In Brazil, 80 humanitarian projects were carried out in 2022, with donations to more than 50 institutions, including state governments, according to a report from Autossuficiência Brasil (Brazil Self-Reliance, in Portuguese) from the initiatives of the Church’s Humanitarian Services in the country last year.
Also, thousands of Helping Hands volunteers carried out 146 projects in all 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District.
The welfare program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began in 1936 to “help care for members in need and strengthen their ability to become self-reliant” (Autossuficiência Brasil).
In 1985, the humanitarian program started, extending relief through voluntary organizations and members to all those experiencing different needs, regardless of race, color, gender, nationality or religious affiliation.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve others as they work to fulfill the two great commandments given by the Savior Jesus Christ: first, to love God above all things and the second, but equally important, to love their neighbor as themselves.
Humanitarian projects in numbers
In 2022, 80 humanitarian projects were carried out in 20 states and the Federal District, impacting more than 1.5 million people. Below is a summary of the 2022 initiatives in Brazil.
Education
Donation of equipment and school materials, and school renovations:
- 9 humanitarian projects
- 6 states
- more than 400,000 beneficiaries
Community projects
Support and help local organizations to help meet community needs:
- 29 humanitarian projects
- 10 states and Federal District
- more than 250,000 beneficiaries
Neonatal resuscitation training
Health professionals were trained to save newborns with breathing difficulties. The donations of resuscitation kits to hospitals and midwives:
- 2 humanitarian projects
- 2 states
- more than 500 beneficiaries
Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare institutions
Improvement of hospital conditions through equipment, supplies and small renovations:
- 23 humanitarian projects
- 11 states
- more than 800,000 beneficiaries
Emergencies
Alleviate suffering due to natural disasters, civil unrest or food insecurity:
- 15 humanitarian projects
- 9 states
- more than 70,000 beneficiaries
Wheelchairs
Improve mobility, as well as educational and economic opportunities for people with physical disabilities:
- 2 states
- more than 400 beneficiaries
Volunteering in Brazil and Helping Hands
Through Helping Hands, 146 projects were carried out in 109 cities distributed across the country’s five regions, according to the the report. Thousands of volunteers (in Portuguese) wearing their yellow vests across the country donated around 44,982 hours, the equivalent of 1,874 days or 5.2 years of work.
Among the activities were the collection of food, help in emergencies and natural disasters, assembly of humanitarian kits, services to refugees and other displaced people, and many others.
Many served on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Independence of Brazil, with three specific projects focused on strengthening women, families and communities.
