Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed leaders from several countries and humanitarian organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, April 15.
The meeting and roundtable focused on the church’s efforts to care for those in need.
The Church reported spending $1.58 billion on efforts to care for people in need in 196 countries and territories in 2025, according to the Caring for Those in Need summary released earlier this year. This effort includes 3,514 humanitarian projects, 37,063,409 pounds of food donated through the Episcopal Depot, 569 emergency relief projects, and 7.4 million volunteer hours.
“These numbers represent real people, real lives and real hope,” said Eric Rottermann, the church’s Humanitarian Services Manager for Europe Central. “They reflect the faith and generosity of our members and the power of collaboration with trusted partners.”
A similar roundtable was held in Brussels, Belgium. London, UK. and Los Angeles, California.
“We believe that all people on earth are children of God,” said Elder Jack N. Gerard, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency. “Because of that belief, we should see all people as brothers and sisters. Caring for those in need is not optional for disciples of Jesus Christ; it is at the core of who we are.”
Guests included representatives from UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Food Programme, as well as Aryeh Deng Ruai Deng, Ambassador of the United Nations to South Sudan in Geneva.
Deng Xiaoping spoke emotionally about the projects the church supports, including access to clean water, according to a news release from the church’s Europe newsroom.
Stefano Bosco, director of Latter-day Saint Charities in Geneva, thanked the guests for their years of collaboration with churches around the world on behalf of people in need.
“Here in Geneva, where humanitarian diplomacy and action intersect every day, I am reminded of how much we can accomplish together,” Bosco said.
Elder Gerald said he is grateful “for the good that we are seeing.”
“When faith, expertise and compassion come together, there is reason to have hope, even in a world facing many challenges,” he said.
