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Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area are marking World Humanitarian Day by reaffirming their commitment to service across Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and island nations and territories in the South Pacific.
World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19, honors those who dedicate themselves to helping others and encourages reflection on humanitarian efforts. For Latter-day Saints in the region, humanitarian service is considered a central part of their faith.
The Church has highlighted recent initiatives throughout the Pacific. These include funding solar-powered desalination systems to provide safe drinking water to more than 40,000 residents in remote areas such as Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Samoa, and Kiribati. This effort aims to address clean water needs amid growing climate challenges.
In response to natural disasters in Vanuatu, Tonga, and Solomon Islands, the Church has distributed food supplies, shelter materials, and hygiene kits to affected communities. In Papua New Guinea, a partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation supports a new Centre for Eye Health in Port Moresby that provides surgical care and specialist training using solar-powered facilities.
The Church is also involved in upgrading medical infrastructure at hospitals including Tonga’s Vaiola Hospital, Fiji’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital, and Tungaru Central Hospital in Kiribati. Wheelchair distribution programs have improved mobility for hundreds of recipients across several communities. Additional support includes school refurbishments and scholarships in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands.
These projects are funded through donations to the Church’s humanitarian fund along with volunteer work from local members and missionaries.
Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said: “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 organization says its approach emphasizes self-reliance alongside disaster response or long-term development projects. Plans for future outreach include expanding food security programs and mental health support while strengthening emergency preparedness at the community level.
Latter-day Saints in the Pacific say they will continue efforts “to heal, help, and bring light to the world” as global needs evolve.
