September 3, 2025, 4am MDT
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – A year after floods and landslides destroyed the Bosnian and Herzegovina communities, the Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ, the Bosnian Federation’s Red Cross and Herzegovina Red Cross proposed cooperation with the government and launched a government emergency measure to launch a national emergency measure. This effort will provide Bosnians with the tools they need to respond quickly to future crises.
On August 7-8, Elder Jack N. Gerald, the first counselor to the Church’s European Central Regional President, visited the northern Adriatic Sea mission to join the delegation of church members at a conference focused on humanitarian service, saying, “We believe we are focusing on the eye of God’s eye.
Although parameters for the emergency response project are still defined, the three organizations agreed to focus on providing and distributing the 72-hour kit to residents in the country’s most disaster-prone areas.
Red Cross leaders and church representatives presented Delic with backpacks filled with local emergency supplies and showed them how they would look and how they could be used after the disaster in the time it took to reach emergency responders three days after the disaster. The leader expressed his desire to have many other organizations involved in the effort and make the campaign a true national effort.
Delic said: “We are open to any cooperation that will make concrete changes in people’s lives. This project will provide prompt and efficient support to citizens affected by the crisis, which unfortunately is more common in our country.”
Nevenka Milanovic, who oversees organizational development and social work for the Red Cross, said the collaboration is built on trustworthy relationships. “This initiative is part of our continued joint efforts with the Church to prepare, inform and keep the Bosnia and Herzegovina communities safe.”
National effort
Bosnia – As Herzegovina continues to face natural disasters and humanitarian challenges, leaders hope that the new preparatory campaign will grow into a broad national effort, with participation from many organizations and communities.
By combining the Red Cross experience, the support of government and church humanitarian assistance with missionaries and members, this effort aims to strengthen resilience and save lives.
“Together, we can help people prepare when disasters occur,” Elder Gerrard said. “That preparation can make all the difference.”
The preparatory campaign continues the history of cooperation between the Church and the Red Cross. Since 1993, the two organizations have completed over 300 humanitarian projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Efforts ranged from healthcare, mobility equipment and clean water to education, agriculture and aid for refugees, children and seniors.
Recent projects include equipping the cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo and Mostar with soup kitchens and providing emergency relief after flooding in the Jabnica and Plieder regions.
Improving care for vulnerable people
During his visit with Elder Gerald, he also announced the church’s support for the Duje Center dormitory construction project run by non-profit MFS Emmaus. The centre provides care to nearly 500 people with mental and physical disabilities. Three dangerous, overcrowded dorms will be replaced with church and government support. Details of this project and church involvement will soon be available.
Delic praised the project as a major step forward. “This is a huge contribution to our country,” he said.
Long-term collaboration
Elder Gerrard and the church delegation also visited Muslim assistance, an international humanitarian organisation that the church has worked closely with over the years. The two organizations provided pregnant dairy cows to families needed to improve the socioeconomic situation of rural families, donated and set up a greenhouse of 3,000 fully stock, donated beekeeping materials to improve family nutrition and generate income.
The goal of the conference was to assess the organization’s needs to explore ways in which the church continues to support its mission.
Edinashehic, executive director of Muslim Aid, expressed his appreciation for the continued collaboration. “Your support has allowed us to provide meaningful projects and encourage us to continue working towards excellence,” she said. “Beyond our partnership, we are grateful to work with such incredible and caring people.”
Small but immovable existence
In 1996, after the Bosnian War ended, then-elder Jeffrey R. Holland, now the quorum president of the 12 apostles, visited Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, to offer the blessings of the Apostles of Peace. In the 1990s, Latter-day Saints of Europe gathered to deliver assistance to those affected by the conflict. In 2010, the church Russell M. Nelson, who was then a quorum member of the 12 apostles, organized the first branch in Sarajevo and dedicated his country to preach the gospel. In 2012, the church received official recognition from the government and a year later a second branch was formed in Banjarka.
The church is small in a country with 86 members, but there was a consistent and intensive effort in caring for the poor and poor through humanitarian projects.
Currently, six young missionaries and two senior couples serve in the country. This includes Elder Charles and sister Bethlam, a senior humanitarian missionary of Blair, California.
Elder Gerald reminded his leaders that the Church’s global humanitarian outreach is fully funded by the donations of 17 million members. “Last year, the church provided $1.4 billion in humanitarian assistance,” he said, highlighting the faith and sacrifice behind the service.
In Sarajevo, Elder Gerald presented Delic with a crystal cube engraved with three-dimensional images of the Salt Lake Temple, and invited him to attend the Temple Open House in 2027 after the renovation was completed.
The church delegation included Elder Gerald. President Brian and sister Angie Cordray, leader of the Adriatic North Mission. Senior Humanitarian missionary, elder and sister lamb. Senior Missionary Elder and sister Laurie Turner. National Communications Director Ivan Magic and his wife, Rosana, a church translator.
– Sister Laurie Snow Turner is a senior missionary and assistant director of communications at the Adriatic North Mission.
