The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating $8.25 million to two organizations in response to the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.
The money will help feed and provide core relief items to hundreds of thousands of refugees in the region, reported a news release from the Church’s Middle East Newsroom.
A $4.25 million donation to the World Food Programme will supply rations such as cereals, oil, legumes, supplemental bars and ready-to-eat meals to those living in refugee camps in Sudan and in the bordering countries of South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia and Egypt.
And a $4 million donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will provide shelter and core relief items such as blankets, kitchen sets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and solar lamps.
In April 2023, violent conflicts that began in Khartoum, Sudan, forced families to leave their homes and villages. More than 4.8 million people have been displaced since then — including 2 million children, explained the news release.
There is an urgent need for shelter, health care, food and water in the region.
“We are grateful to have the resources to support several quality organizations in their efforts to address the crisis in Sudan despite the high risks to their personal safety and the countless challenges,” said Church humanitarian specialist Steve Dobb, who coordinated the donation. “It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of our brothers and sisters there, and we pray that the conflict will be resolved soon.”
In September 2022, the Church donated $32 million to the World Food Programme — the Church’s largest one-time contribution to a humanitarian organization to date.
In all of 2022, the Church expended more than $1 billion to care for those in need around the world through projects in 190 countries and territories.
Then, just last month, the Church announced a combined $44 million to promote childhood nutrition in 30 countries. And $10 million went to UNICEF to help mothers and children.
Such aid is given without regard to race, religious affiliation or nationality, and is based on the principles of self-reliance, community support, personal responsibility and sustainability.
Church humanitarian efforts are made possible by the generous donations of Latter-day Saints and friends of the faith worldwide. This project was funded through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and LDS Charities Australia.
