World Refugee Day is on June 20 each year. This event is sponsored by the United Nations Refugee Agency and honours the strength and courage of refugees and encourages public awareness and support of them, people who have had to flee their home lands because of conflict or natural disaster.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been providing aid to refugees in the South Pacific for many years. They have provided food, shelter, medicines household items, kitchenware, bedding, laundry supplies, baby supplies, Christmas gifts and much more. Below are just a few examples:
In Tamaki, Auckland, Latter-day Saints joined hands to help lift some of the burdens of refugees in New Zealand by gathering a collection of household goods to donate to the refugees. Read more here.
In Mt. Roskill, Auckland, Church members recently partnered with New Zealand Red Cross, collecting bedding, kitchenware and other items needed to set up homes to prepare for the arrival of several refugees into New Zealand. Read more here.
.jpg)
In New Caledonia, Church members joined together to aid their own local Mormon members who became temporary refugees because of road closures, leaving them stranded without needed basic supplies such as food, shelter and medicines. Read more here.
.JPG)
In Sydney, Australia, LDS young single adults recently donated baby products and laundry supplies to The Community Care Refugee Organization. Read more here.
In Otara, Auckland, Church members joined other community groups to collect food and other needed items for several refugee organizations. Read more here.
Linda K. Burton, past general president of the Church’s women’s organization, shared that we have “an opportunity to serve one-on-one, in families, and by organization to offer friendship, mentoring, and other Christlike service.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced a video, “Refuge from the Storm,” to encourage people to get involved in assisting refugees in their communities.