News Release

The Church provides aid to patients suffering from the MPOX virus in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Beyond material support, the Church also provided moral and spiritual aid to patients and their families

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has recently shown its dedication to the Kinshasa community in the Democratic Republic of Congo by offering substantial aid to patients battling the Mpox virus. Partnering with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) “Women of Faith”, the Church supplied essential food, non-food items, and medicines to bolster public health initiatives.

This effort follows the visit of Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from October 25-30, 2024. Two weeks after his visit, the Church delivered a significant consignment of supplies to the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, overseen by Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba Kazadi, Director General of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

Beyond material support, the Church also provided moral and spiritual aid to patients and their families. Church members made regular visits to offer prayers, encouragement, and emotional support, fostering a sense of community and hope among those affected by the virus.

Dr. Kazadi praised this initiative, highlighting that the Church's assistance supports both governmental and non-governmental efforts to combat the Mpox virus. He reported a concerning situation with 16,706 suspected cases and 575 deaths recorded between weeks 1 and 32 of 2024.

The Church's donations will be distributed to all health centers in Kinshasa treating Mpox patients, offering vital relief to those in need. Dr. Kazadi expressed profound gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their invaluable support, which strengthens public health efforts and aids those in distress during this challenging time.

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