The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its foundation arm, LDS Charities, has continued to extend help to survivors of the Bohol earthquake. More than 10000 food kits, 8000 hygiene kits, 500 sets of shelter kits and other supplies like 5 units of water filtration equipment and 5 units of 5 KVA generators have been sent to various barangays in Tubigon, San Isidro , Antequera, Maribojoc, Loon, Sagbayan, Clarin, Inabangga and Buena Vista.
In coordination with mayors of the different local government units, needs were identified and relief goods brought to hard hit areas. The LGUs also helped the Church identify sites where Mormon Helping Hands were most needed. On October 28, close to a thousand volunteers joined in extending help to the municipalites of Loon, Maribojoc, Antequera and Sagbayan to help residents clear schools, houses and buildings as well as distribute relief goods. (See related story Bohol Mormon Helping Hands)
To date, a total of Php 12.9 M was approved by Church Headquarters for ongoing relief efforts.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients.
Humanitarian service includes emergency response to natural disasters, such as an earthquake or a tsunami, or man-made disasters, such as the effects of war and famine. It may also be part of a longer-term effort to meet serious and more entrenched human needs, such as the need to alleviate disease.
After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to help with the long-term needs of the community. The Church’s approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self-sustained life.
Donations have come from fast offering of members. Latter-day Saints abstain from food and drink for two meals on a first Sunday of the month and donate the equivalent cost, or more, to the Church to assist the poor and needy. One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.
Service rendered by volunteers fall under the Mormon Helping Hands program which reflects the desire of Church members to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others. On Monday, October 27, these volunteers in their trademark yellow shirts will go out on the streets to help people whose lives have been affected by the earthquake. The Mormon Helping Hands program brings together members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their neighbors to provide community service.