Clean water, health, education, and child nutrition are essential pillars for fostering sustainable communities and creating better lives for all people. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knows these priorities are the building blocks of a brighter, healthier, and more prosperous future for individuals, families, and communities throughout the Pacific.
2024 Pacific Summary
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154 Humanitarian projects
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14 Countries served
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18 Emergency responses
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20 Projects targeted women and children’s wellness
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29 Projects improved access to clean water
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66 Projects assisted with increased health and vision
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34 Projects focused on education
Clean Water
In 2024, projects all around the Pacific specifically addressed the availability of clean water in remote island locations.
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In Kiribati: Solar-powered desalination plants were provided on the islands of Takaeang, Beru, and Onotoa.
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In Papua New Guinea: 11 infrastructure projects provided fresh water to schools and villages.
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In Vanuatu: A fresh water system was designed and built for the villages of Natuken, Loupukas, Lapit, and Lue.
Health
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is ensuring hospitals and medical teams have the equipment needed to save precious lives in the Pacific.
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Medical and dental equipment was committed to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, and Tuvalu.
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Samoa received 2,700 wheelchairs, 90 bariatric beds, 15 defibrillators and 800 pairs of crutches, as well as much-needed prosthetics and orthotics.
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Life-saving medical scanning equipment was provided to the CareFlight team out of Darwin, Australia.
An ambulance from the 2024 Olympics donated to French Polynesia, was fully fitted out through humanitarian aid.
Education
The construction and refurbishment of school classrooms has enabled hundreds of children to learn and progress in their education. Most of these improvements were necessary due to overcrowding, lapsed maintenance, fire damage, and destruction from natural disasters.
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School facilities were upgraded or refurbished in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, as well as Tonga.
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New classrooms were built in Tonga, Vanuatu, and Samoa.
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Containers of books were shipped throughout the Pacific to improve literacy.
'Our prayers were finally heard when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints decided to assist us in funding a school building.' — School Administrator
Child Nutrition
A well-nourished child has an increased capacity to reach his or her physical, intellectual, and spiritual potential.
Church child nutrition efforts in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands identify and meet the nutritional needs of children by implementing short- and long-term solutions in three areas:
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Nutritional education
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Supplements
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Ongoing support
One hundred and fifty volunteers will screen approximately 1,100 children under the age of five. This programme touches many lives throughout the Pacific.
'Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much as or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially ... when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.'— President Russell M. Nelson