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Madelyn Sofia Mendez Mateo, far right, a first grade student in Planes de Rio Grande, Honduras, eats her meal during recess time with her classmates. The Church of Jesus Christ is supporting the efforts of Catholic Relief Services in various countries to provide girls and young women with nutrition education and counseling, micronutrient supplements and nutritious foods.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Relief Society General President Camille Johnson and Elder Ian Ardern of the Africa Central Area Presidency feed children with food provided by UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northeastern Uganda in March 2023.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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Known for its worldwide humanitarian efforts, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced it is launching a global initiative aimed at improving the health and development of children under 5 and their mothers.

The initiative is intended to improve access to nutrition, immunizations and maternal and newborn care, according to a church press release.

The new effort, which will look to assist families with access to health screenings, nutritional treatment and dietary awareness for mothers, is headed by the Relief Society General Presidency, which leads the church’s global organization for women.

The church unit will work with external organizations that share similar goals.

“We are committed to help alleviate malnutrition and prioritize the health and well-being of women and children,” said Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, in a church announcement. “Our goal is to help God’s children reach their full potential.”

The church is providing training materials online at ChildNutrition.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to educate families about nutrition. The website offers information about how people can improve child nutrition in their homes and communities.

“We want to empower families,” said Relief Society General President Camille Johnson, as quoted in the church’s statement. “In many cases, loving parents lack the knowledge to provide adequate nutrition for their children. With greater understanding and resources, they are better equipped to make changes that can have a lasting impact.”

The church launched a program in the Philippines in early 2019 through which children were screened for signs of malnutrition and parents received training and support on the importance of dietary diversification. Currently, these child nutrition initiatives are underway in 12 countries in Central America, Africa and Asia. Launches are planned in additional countries in the coming months, according to the church.

As part of the program, Latter-day Saint volunteers and health experts will teach mothers the importance of a proper diet to a child’s development while helping them with more urgent needs, the church said. Through nutritional screenings, families will be able to access immediate treatments such as supplemental foods and deworming medications. Ministering efforts also will connect them to local medical resources and provide follow-up care and support.

“This project is something that comes naturally to women,” stated Kristin Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. “Relief Society sisters are already nurturing others in their homes and communities. Even if they aren’t directly involved (in this initiative), they’re part of a global sisterhood that is making a difference in people’s lives.”

According to the church’s announcement, it is also working with charitable and government organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration on key areas of need. In some cases, the church said, contributions are made to provide immediate food assistance, while in other instances support is given to self-reliance projects that improve a family’s ability to provide for themselves.

In the Philippines, the church is supporting the efforts of Caritas Manila, which helps provide six months of daily supplemental meals, vitamins and hygiene items for over 1,000 children in different parts of metro Manila.

“Our humanitarian initiative is an optional opportunity for Relief Society sisters,” Johnson said. “Latter-day Saint women globally are involved in many worthwhile undertakings in their local congregations. Often the best humanitarian outreach is to those closest to us in everyday acts of kindness. When we serve our families and our neighbors, we are part of a global cause.”

In just the past year, the church reportedly has given $32 million to the World Food Programme, providing emergency food aid for 1.6 million people in nine nations. Another $44 million was contributed in August to multiple charitable organizations that will help an estimated 2 million mothers and children in 30 countries.

The funding will go toward malnutrition screening and treatment; nutritional supplements and vitamins; purchasing agricultural tools and providing training; fighting disease through access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene; and education initiatives that promote proper nutritional practices, according to the church.

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