Australian Red Cross and The Church of Jesus Christ Join Forces

On Monday, 2nd February, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Australian Red Cross Society (Red Cross) in Queensland.  

Elder Keith Walker signed on behalf of the Church and Kevin Keefe, the Executive Director of Red Cross Queensland, signed on behalf of the Red Cross. 

The purpose of this MoU is to formalise the relationship between the Red Cross and the Church in Australia in the area of disaster management in Queensland.  The agreement provides a broad framework for cooperation and engagement between the two organisations in the support of communities in need. 

The memorandum states that, "When requested, and when possible, LDS Australia will provide Red Cross with hygiene/comfort kits, clean-up kits, and other selected supplies and equipment for disaster affected communities.

"LDS Australia will encourage Church members in targeted areas to become Red Cross Emergency Services volunteers."

Carolyn Parsons, Queensland Manager of Emergency Services for the Red Cross, said of the momentous occasion, "Today marks a milestone in the relationship between the Church and Red Cross in Queensland as we celebrate the signing of the MoU between the two organisations to work more closely together to help support communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters".

Elder Walker, an Area Seventy for the Church, said, “This is a significant occasion for Latter-day Saints here in Queensland in our new partnership with the Red Cross. The core values and mission statements of the Red Cross are aligned with the values and principles taught by the Church. 

“Being able to more readily serve in our communities will be another step in helping our members live a more Christlike life as they follow the example set by Jesus Christ.”

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