At a virtual meeting for the independent think tank Horasis, Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency and president of Latter-day Saint Charities, shared her thoughts on the crisis in Ukraine. She expounded on the Church’s involvement in aid surrounding the conflict and how they were able to act so nimbly and efficiently from the outset.
She shared that the Church’s humanitarian arm keeps a two-year reserve of funding to enable the faith to quickly respond to crises all over the world. That means that aid is available immediately, rather than needing to ramp up and raise new funds each time a crisis happens. That funding comes from the generous donations of Latter-day Saints and friends of the faith.
“[Having funds in place] allowed us to pre-position food and water several weeks ago,” she said. “It allows us to be right on the border with what the people need and be responsive because the needs change every single day as the situation goes forward.”
Sister Eubank also stated that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to the long-term needs of the affected countries in Europe as well as other communities and nations where they have ongoing projects.
“The disaster is only the very beginning,” she said. “What we really care about is helping people spiritually, emotionally, and physically recover and build their societies back. That’s the commitment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Additionally, Sister Eubank asked for world leaders to recognize the vital role that faith communities play in responses to humanitarian crises across the world. “The good that religion can do, especially when it comes to integration and achieving sustainable development, is amplified when religious groups work with government and non-governmental organizations,” she said.
You can read the full release on Sister Eubank’s remarks on Church Newsroom here.
