Brussels, Belgium — On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the European Union and International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a public roundtable in Brussels titled “Caring for Those in Need: Collective Responses to Global Crises.” The event brought together senior Church leaders, representatives of international organizations, government partners, and humanitarian practitioners for a focused discussion on today’s growing humanitarian challenges and the collaborative approaches needed to address them.
The roundtable was held on the occasion of the launch of the Church’s 2025 Caring for Those in Need annual report, which documents the collective results of thousands of humanitarian collaborations worldwide. Against the backdrop of rising global needs driven by conflict, natural disasters, climate-related emergencies, and deepening social vulnerabilities, participants reflected on the importance of principled partnerships, coordination, and community-centered approaches that protect dignity and strengthen local capacity.
The 2025 Caring for Those in Need report highlights the scale of this collective effort. In 2025, Church assistance totaled $1.58 billion, delivered through 3,514 humanitarian projects in 196 countries and territories, supported by 7.4 million volunteer hours. While the figures underscore significant global reach, speakers emphasized that the true impact of humanitarian work lies in sustained cooperation with trusted partners who operate close to affected communities.
The keynote address was delivered by Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In his remarks, Bishop Waddell reflected on the Church’s commitment to caring for those in need as an expression of discipleship and a responsibility shared across faith communities, governments, and humanitarian organizations. He emphasized the importance of translating compassion into effective, coordinated action that meets urgent needs while preserving dignity and fostering long-term resilience.
“Today's launch for the Caring for Those in Need report for 2025, here in Europe and Brussels, was a remarkable event with numerous individuals from a variety of different humanitarian organizations.”
“I hope what they walk away from is that they have hope—that we realize that we come from so many different backgrounds, but it's the unique talents and abilities that we bring to the table, each of us individually. When you combine it all, some remarkable things can take place,” said Bishop Waddell.
Elder Rubén V. Alliaud, President of the Europe Central Area, offered greetings and reinforced the spirit of shared purpose underpinning the roundtable. He highlighted the value of dialogue and partnership across sectors, noting that humanitarian challenges today require cooperation that transcends institutional, cultural, and geographic boundaries.
'Caring for those in need is one of the divinely appointed responsibilities that we have as a church. It is one of the reasons why we have the church, so putting together a report of what we are doing in Europe is critical and very important for us,” said Elder Alliaud.
A second keynote perspective was provided by H.E. Dr. Dániel Solymári, Ambassador-at-Large of Hungary’s Hungary Helps Program. He complimented the Church for its expansive humanitarian work, driven by love and Christlike values. He shared reflections on the role of governments in supporting humanitarian action and the importance of the work of faith-based and civil society partners, particularly in an increasingly constrained humanitarian environment.
'The pressure on humanitarian systems arises not only from the scale of need, but also from the fact that crises are becoming longer, more complex, and increasingly interconnected. In such a context, the contribution of faith-based organisations and churches - like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - is of particular importance. These actors possess a local presence and relationships of trust that are genuinely irreplaceable,' he commented.
The discussion then turned to partner perspectives from international organizations and civil society. Mr. Mamar Merzouk, Director of the Office to the European Union for the UN World Food Programme, addressed emerging humanitarian needs and operational challenges, emphasizing the importance of coordination, sustained funding, and access in responding to both acute crises and protracted emergencies.
Mr. Jean-Yves Terlinden, International Cooperation and Humanitarian Director of Caritas Europa, reflected on the role of faith-based and civil society networks in delivering assistance that is rooted in local communities. He underscored the importance of principled, people-centered approaches that place affected individuals and families at the heart of humanitarian response.
Mr. Eric Rottermann, Humanitarian Manager for the Europe Central Area of the Church, highlighted concrete avenues for partnership, including emergency response, long-term development, and specialized initiatives supporting women, children, and displaced populations. He emphasized that sustainable impact depends on long-term relationships built on trust, transparency, and shared values.
'I hope that we all come out of this meeting with greater hope. In a world that seems to be darkening day by day, I hope every one of us goes home with new ideas of how we can change our family, our community, and, together, make an influence for good in our nations where we live—to care for those in need, here, right now, where we are,' said Rottermann.
The roundtable was moderated by Francesco Di Lillo, Director of the EU and International Affairs Office, who noted that the Caring for Those in Need report reflects not only the Church’s commitment but also the indispensable contributions of humanitarian partners whose daily work makes such impact possible.
“I felt deep gratitude for our humanitarian friends—across UN agencies, NGOs, governments, and faith-based actors—who work tirelessly to bless lives and protect human dignity,” said Francesco Di Lillo. “I am also grateful to belong to a Church that seeks to lead by example, standing alongside those caring for those in need, whose compassion and professionalism bring hope to individuals and families around the world.”