 |
| Senior representatives from leading humanitarian organisations joined Bishop Waddell in Central London for a roundtable discussion on Monday, March 23, 2026. |
LONDON — In a high-level summit reflecting the increasingly volatile state of global affairs, Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with executive leaders from the world’s premier humanitarian agencies this week. The roundtable, held in Central London, signaled a strategic shift toward radical collaboration as international NGOs struggle to keep pace with escalating global needs.
The delegation included senior representatives Sophie Britt of Save the Children International, Euan Crawshaw of ShelterBox, and Tala Hassoun of CARE USA. Facilitated by Malcolm Adcock, the Church’s Director of International Affairs, the discussions focused on the "polycrisis" landscape of 2026—where conflict, economic instability, and climate displacement intersect to create unprecedented demand for relief.
The Mandate for Collaboration
The central theme of the summit was the obsolescence of "siloed" humanitarian work. Bishop Waddell opened the session by emphasizing that the scale of modern suffering necessitates a unified front.
"As we work together, we are able to reach many more people in need than we ever could reach on our own," Bishop Waddell stated. This sentiment was echoed by Tala Hassoun, who noted that for CARE USA, partnership is no longer an elective strategy but the "core of how we operate," particularly when navigating the complex logistics of local government and community trust.
Euan Crawshaw provided a sobering historical context, noting that the frequency of major crises has surged over the last two decades. "There are now multiple crises happening at once," Crawshaw observed. "Places that, 20 years ago, would have been considered the worst crisis globally are now just one of many."
Addressing the "Forgotten" Emergencies
A significant portion of the dialogue centered on the "geography of neglect"—regions such as the Sahel and parts of Central Africa that suffer from severe humanitarian distress but fail to capture the 24-hour news cycle.
Sophie Britt praised the Church’s willingness to direct resources toward these "dark zones" that often lack visibility and funding. "We have a partner on our side who doesn’t discriminate," Britt said, highlighting that the Church frequently focuses on "crises that aren’t in the news."
A Value-Driven Partnership
The roundtable followed the publication of the Church’s 2025 Caring for Those in Need report, which details its global footprint. However, the leaders noted that the relationship between the Church and secular NGOs has evolved beyond financial transactions into a sophisticated "problem-solving" alliance.
Hassoun remarked that when organizations are aligned on core values, "operational decisions become much easier," allowing for more candid discussions about project challenges and systemic obstacles.
The Persistence of Hope
Despite the daunting scale of global displacement and poverty, the leaders expressed a defiant optimism. For the NGO executives, hope is found in the "lived experience" of resilient families and the immediate impact of safe spaces for children.
Bishop Waddell concluded by grounding the effort in a spiritual and humanitarian framework. "In our belief, Jesus Christ is hope," he remarked. "Because of Him—and because of the innate goodness of people, of the organizations that you all represent... that gives hope. Despite all the challenges in the world, we see good things taking place."
As the summit concluded, the consensus among the London delegates was clear: in an era defined by overwhelming need, the only viable path forward is a collective one.
0 Comments
Please Don't Spam!