World Humanitarian Day, which is remembered on August 19, provides opportunities to reflect on past efforts and to look to the future within the context of the needs of communities.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the Pacific Area — spanning Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the island nations and territories of the South Pacific — join the global community in celebrating the spirit of humanitarianism and reaffirming their commitment to Christlike service.
YSA Vanuatu Service project
Young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vanuatu assemble emergency packs.Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.World Humanitarian Day is a time to honour those who dedicate their lives to helping others and to reflect on the power of collective compassion. For Latter-day Saints in the Pacific, humanitarian service is not just a response to crisis — it is a way of life rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As the world observes World Humanitarian Day this August, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reaffirms its commitment to compassionate service and sustainable development throughout the Pacific.
PNG
Loading tarpaulins into dinghies to distribute to villages affected by natural disasters along the Sepik River© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Guided by the belief that all are children of God, the Church continues to partner with governments, NGOs, and community leaders to offer practical, life-changing aid to some of the region’s most vulnerable communities. These efforts embody this year’s global humanitarian theme: solidarity with those in need.
Recent humanitarian initiatives supported by the Church in the Pacific include:
- Clean Water Access: In remote areas of Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Samoa, and across the outer islands of Kiribati, the Church is funding solar-powered desalination systems to provide WHO-recommended safe drinking water to more than 40,000 residents — building sustainable solutions in the face of rising climate threats.
- Emergency Relief: The Church has responded swiftly to natural disasters across Vanuatu, Tonga, and Solomon Islands, distributing food, shelter, and hygiene kits to communities recovering from cyclones, floods, and earthquakes.
- Medical and Vision Care: In Papua New Guinea, the Church is partnering with the Fred Hollows Foundation to support the new Centre for Eye Health in Port Moresby — a critical facility offering surgical care, specialist training, and solar-powered resilience.
- Hospital Upgrades: From modernising surgical theatres in Tonga’s Vaiola Hospital to enhancing sterilization facilities at Fiji’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital and upgrading diagnostic infrastructure at Tungaru Central Hospital in Kiribati, the Church’s investments are elevating healthcare outcomes for tens of thousands across the Pacific.
- Wheelchair Distribution in several Pacific communities, improving mobility and independence for hundreds of recipients.
- Educational Support through school refurbishments, technology donations, and scholarships in Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands.
These efforts are made possible by generous donations to the Church’s humanitarian fund and the tireless service of local members and missionaries who volunteer their time and talents.
“We Are All God’s Children”
Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President, shared:
“On this World Humanitarian Day, we remember that we are all God’s children. Our shared humanity calls us to lift, love, and serve one another. In the Pacific, we see miracles unfold when communities come together in faith and compassion.”
The Church’s humanitarian mission is guided by the principle of self-reliance, helping individuals and families build sustainable futures. Whether through disaster response or long-term development, the goal is always to bless lives and foster hope.
Looking Forward
As global challenges continue to evolve, the Church remains committed to expanding its humanitarian outreach in the Pacific. Plans are underway to increase food security initiatives, support mental health programs, and strengthen local emergency preparedness.
On this day, and every day, Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area stand united with all who seek to heal, help, and bring light to the world.