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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively working to address humanitarian needs in the Marshall Islands. Due to its remote location in the central Pacific Ocean, the islands face challenges such as cyclones, rising sea levels, and limited resources for fresh water and food. The Church is providing various forms of aid to help mitigate these issues.
Recent initiatives include donating biodegradable menstrual products for girls in grade six and above, supplying sports equipment for physical education classes nationwide, constructing a recreation court at the Majuro Deaf Education Center, and collaborating with the Marshall Islands Red Cross to purchase a vehicle for delivering relief supplies. Additionally, a new shipping container was donated by the Church for storing emergency supplies in Majuro.
Dr. Natalie Nimmer, commissioner of education for the Marshall Islands, praised the Church's approach: “What sets the Church apart is their genuine commitment to listening — truly listening — to our local voices and responding to our real, expressed needs without imposing outside agendas.”
Rick Wiegel from Canvasback Wellness Center noted that “Small projects or large, when we have called upon the volunteers of your Church or your missionaries, they show up every time.” The center has supported several humanitarian programs in the region over 18 years.
Wiegel emphasized that unlike some nongovernmental organizations whose projects are often abandoned after initial completion, The Church has ensured longevity by providing travel and accommodation budgets to maintain projects on outer island atolls. These long-term initiatives include aeroponic tower gardens and solar power systems which support automated irrigation systems using minimal water while producing much-needed vegetables.
He added that this collaboration has not only been fruitful but also fostered friendships along the way: “Not only have we completed and are able to maintain these projects with the help of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Wiegel continued, “we’ve also made many great friends along the way.”
