Churches Provide Emergency Support Following Natural Disasters in Venezuela and Other Regions

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have responded to natural disasters with compassion and service, offering aid to those in distress around the world. Following twin earthquakes in Venezuela in June 2026, Church members turned to their faith to support neighbors and friends. Stake President Fidel Alberto Castillo Gomez reflected on the experience, saying, “One of the most powerful ways we have felt the Lord has been by serving one another.” He emphasized that relying on the Lord does not mean trials are avoided, but that individuals are not alone in facing them.

The Church’s global outreach includes a wide range of humanitarian efforts. Volunteers have comforted families in Venezuela, organized food deliveries to remote islands in the Philippines, provided shelter for wildfire evacuees in Spain, gathered hygiene supplies in Colombia, and assisted with cleanup efforts after a tornado in Wisconsin. These actions reflect the Church’s commitment to helping people regardless of their political, cultural, or religious background.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints are called to follow His teachings to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind … [and] love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39). This principle guides the Church’s humanitarian work, which seeks to bring peace and practical support to those in need.

In a speech at the Washington National Cathedral on September 16, Church President Dallin H. Oaks highlighted the Church’s Helping Hands program as an example of peacemaking. He noted that the program brings peace to people in distress and teaches the value of individuals setting aside differences to work together. “When our volunteers bring help, people in distress do not ask for their beliefs,” Oaks said. “Likewise, the volunteers help everyone, not just fellow believers.”

The Helping Hands program encourages members to volunteer in yellow shirts for humanitarian projects. This initiative underscores the Church’s belief in the importance of neighbor-love and practical service. By responding to crises with compassion and unity, the Church seeks to embody the teachings of Jesus Christ and demonstrate the power of collective action in times of need.

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