The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints works worldwide to relieve human suffering and to promote self-reliance among all people. Assistance is provided without regard to race, nationality, or religion.

In the past seventeen years (1985-2002), the Church provided assistance valued at more than NZ$830 million. During this time, over 40,000 tonnes of food, 5,200 tonnes of medical equipment, 52,000 tonnes of clothing and 4,500 tonnes of educational supplies, plus NZ$160 million in cash donations have been distributed. Aid is given through existing agencies, such as Catholic Relief, and the Salvation Army or through the newly-established Latter-day Saint Charities, in over 150 countries.

The Church also gives ongoing support to disadvantaged areas to improve literacy, living conditions and medical services through senior couples called to serve in countries where there is the greatest need for these services.

The following is a list of some of the most recent humanitarian service projects conducted by the Church worldwide: 

		Columbia Social Assistance 2003
		Ethiopia Hungry relief 2003
		Australian drought relief 2003
		Europe Flood relief 2002
		Australian drought relief 2003
		Hurricane Isidore in Mexico relief 2002
		Afghan refugees in Pakistan relief 2001
		India earthquake relief 2001
		El Salvador and Peru earthquake relief 2001
		El Salvador flooding relief 2001
		East and West Timor refugee relief 2000
		Mozambique and Brazil flooding relief 2000
		Belize hurricane relief 2000
		Ethiopia famine relief 2000
		Venezuela flooding relief 1999
		Kosovar refugee relief - 1999
		Hurricane Mitch relief 1998
		North Korean crop failure - 1996-98
		Midwest US flooding relief - 1993-97
		Bosnia/Croatia/Serbia - 1994-96

The following is a list of some of the most recent humanitarian and charitable service projects funded by the Church in New Zealand.

		$300,000 of books donated to libraries throughout New Zealand
		Proceeds from tours by Church entertainment groups donated to various charities including World Vision, and Leukaemia Foundation
		Christmas gifts for the poor and needy
		$30,000 to Star Ship Children's Hospital
		Free English classes for immigrants
		$30,000 funds raised for Guide Dogs
		Nearly 200 quilts for charities
		Clothing and essentials to Women's Refuges

Welfare and Humanitarian Services World-Wide Fact Sheet

Basic Principles

The responsibilities of providing for oneself, for one's family, and for the poor and needy have been part of the gospel of Jesus Christ since the beginning of time. As His disciples, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior's admonition to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison (see Matthew 25:35-36).

Since its beginnings, the Church has organized to assist its members to provide for themselves and others, ensuring their physical, spiritual, social, and emotional welfare. Welfare services are provided in accordance with principles set forth in scripture and are financially supported through the voluntary contributions of members who fast one day each month and donate at least the value of the meals missed.

When members and their families are doing all they can to provide for themselves and still cannot meet their basic needs, they may turn to their bishop for temporary assistance. The bishop, as a local minister, is in the best position to determine the nature and quantity of the help required to meet the individual's or family's specific needs.

The bishop is assisted in his efforts by priesthood quorums and the women's Relief Society. The Church has also established a resource system of storehouses, canneries, production projects, thrift stores, employment centers, and social services offices in many locations.

The purpose of the Church's welfare services is to help people to help themselves. Not only are recipients asked to work in return for the assistance they receive, but much of this work is done by volunteers who give their time, skills, and talents. Some members volunteer full time, serving as welfare missionaries and teaching such things as basic living skills, nutrition, sanitation, literacy, and career development.

The Church also sponsors humanitarian relief and development projects around the world which benefit others not of our faith. These projects include emergency relief assistance in times of disaster and programs which strengthen the productivity and self-reliance of individuals and families, and increase the capacity of communities and institutions to serve others. Hundreds of full-time volunteers with skills and experience in education, agriculture, social work, business, and medicine serve throughout the world.

More information can be found at the Church's Provident Living web site, www.providentliving.org.

2003 Statistics

Days of labor donated to Church welfare facilities		563,838
Employment and training placements		175,398
U.S and Canada		87,092
Internationally		88,306
Total number of:
Storehouses		113
Canneries		105
Employment Resource Centers		222
Deseret Industries thrift stores		45
LDS Family Services offices		65
Priesthood-managed production projects		63
Processing and distribution facilities		18
Number of missionaries serving in Welfare Services		3042
Examples of Missionary Assignments:
Managing Employment Centers
Teaching English as an international language
Strengthening Native Americans
Improving agricultural and medical practices
Distributing clothing
Supervising Welfare projects and missionaries
Number of major disaster assistance efforts (1986-2002)		155
Recent Examples:
Mozambique and Brazil flooding (2000)
Belize hurricane (2000)
El Salvador and Peru earthquakes (2001)
Afghanistan refugees (2001)
Africa famine relief (2002)
Europe and Chile flooding (2002)
Iraq and Liberia conflict victim relief (2003)
Africa flood and famine relief (2003)
Humanitarian assistance rendered (1985-2002)
Cash donations		US$111.7 million
Value of material assistance		US$530.9 million
Countries served		154
Food distributed		45,257 tons
Medical equipment distributed		5,943 tons
Surplus clothing		57,227 tons
Educational supplies		5,011 tons