LDS Charities Helps Refugees in Rwanda, Africa

Mugombwa Camp in the Southern Province of Rwanda has been the recipient of 14 brick and mortar latrines built by contractors the LDS Charities has employed.  There are over 8500 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo in this camp.  5100 of these refugees are under the age of 18.  Sanitation concerns are a major problem in all refugee camps.  With the addition of these latrines some of these concerns are lessened.  Senior Missionary Couples from the LDS Church in coordination with LDS Charites in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA are working hard to supply the needs of the refugee camps in Rwanda.  UNHC in partnership with the LDS Church is making a difference in the humanitarian assistance given to these refugees. 

LDS Charities is one of the major partners that is also working with education.  The Church is dedicated to the commitment of the UN, “to ensure that all refugee children and youth in Rwanda access their fundamental right to basic education."  The Church is currently working on projects to build more than 15 classrooms in various camps.  Reed Mellor, a Salt Lake City Charities coordinator has said, “we are extremely impressed with the relationship between the community, the camp and the UNHCR in setting up these classrooms for the refugees.” 

Humanitarian help for refugees throughout the world is a high priority for the LDS Church.  Members in every congregation in the Church are donating time and resources to help these refugees survive the hardships they encounter as they relocate their homes.  Mormon's believe that Christ’s teachings of love, compassion and charity to those less fortunate should be shown to refugees around the world.  Refugees in Rwanda are among the recipients of the love members of the LDS Church are showing.