Latter-Day Saint Charities Donates $20M To UNICEF’s COVID-19 Response

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Latter-day Saint Charities announced it is committing a $20 million grant to support UNICEF’s global COVID-19 response efforts.

The money, which is contributed by the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be used to help facilitate UNICEF in procuring a supply of 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines to distribute to 196 COVAX countries and economies by the end of the year.

It complements a $3 million donation from the Church, which is being used to help UNICEF provide water, sanitation and hygiene services during its urgent response to the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is the first truly global crisis we have seen in our lives,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF executive director. “No matter where we live, the pandemic affects every person, including children. There has never been a more urgent need to work together.”

She said the grant from Latter-day Saint Charities is “the single biggest donation from a private sector partner that we’ve received to date.”

“We hope that their generosity inspires other organizations, businesses and individuals to help us ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines,” Fore said.

Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the Church, expressed gratitude for UNICEF and everything the organization has done for families and children to help them meet their basic needs.

“As more adults in vulnerable communities are vaccinated, critical health, nutritional and educational services for children in need will be able to resume,” he said in a statement. “We hold hope in our hearts not only of overcoming the pandemic, but of seeing a brighter future for all children and their families.”

Latter-day Saint Charities and UNICEF USA entered into partnership in 2013, working together to support children and their families in the areas of immunization, emergency response, and education and development needs of refugees, according to a statement from the Church.