The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Commits $25 Million to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund

20.05.2026

SALT LAKE CITY, May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced today a $25 million commitment to UNICEF for the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) – a contribution that will unlock an additional $25 million through the CNF Match Challenge, announced at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in March 2025.

Happiness, 5 years old, sitting with her mother, Mary Diston aged 30, who is carrying 1-year-old, Laphael while chopping vegetables outside house in Mukwala Village, TA Mkhumba, Phalombe District, Southern Malawi. Mary Diston, aged 30, who is one of the care group members in Mukwala village, says she learnt how to prepare food from the groups and this has benefited her family since their meals are well balanced with all six nutrition food groups. © UNICEF/UNI591049/Mmina/Elephant Media

The combined $50 million will strengthen the CNF's efforts to reach 320 million children and women each year by 2030 with proven interventions, including maternal nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, micronutrient supplementation, and the early detection and treatment of wasting. The Church's contribution will support nutrition programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Sierra Leone, delivering evidence-based interventions while strengthening government systems to ensure these essential services are sustainably provided to women and children with the greatest needs.

"We are grateful to work with UNICEF to improve the health and nutrition of women and children," said Presiding Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "Our long-standing work with UNICEF reflects shared values and a commitment to care for those in need around the world. The Church's efforts to care for those who are vulnerable are guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ to seek out and serve individuals."

Undernutrition contributes to nearly half of all child deaths worldwide, with 181 million children facing severe food poverty – lacking access to even the most basic nutritious diets. An estimated 150 million children are affected by stunting, a chronic form of malnutrition that results in impaired growth and development, while 43 million more are affected by wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition, where children lose critical mass of body fat and muscle.

The CNF is a UNICEF-led multi-donor financing mechanism designed to accelerate scaling-up of evidence-based, high-impact actions to tackle critical nutrition challenges, including stunting and wasting in children, and anemia in women, in the world's highest-need countries. By addressing both prevention and treatment, the CNF bridges critical gaps in nutrition services, ultimately saving lives and building resilience in vulnerable communities.

"UNICEF is grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its long commitment to improving the lives of children, and for this generous contribution," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "It comes at a critical time and will help deliver lifesaving nutrition to millions of children and women who need it the most."

"Every child deserves a healthy start, and our multiyear focus on maternal and child nutrition is designed to invest directly in the future. By addressing these critical dietary shortages, we are empowering mothers to help their children reach their potential," said Camille N. Johnson, General President of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, organization, product or service.

About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The humanitarian efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seek to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service around the world. According to the Church's Caring for Those in Need: 2025 Report, these efforts included $1.58 billion in expenditures, 7.4 million hours of volunteer service, and 3,514 humanitarian projects in 196 countries and territories. Assistance is provided without regard to race, religion or nationality. Learn more at Caring.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

About UNICEF USA

UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world's most vulnerable children. Together, we are working toward a world that upholds the rights of all children and helps every child thrive. For more information visit unicefusa.org

About the CNF

The Child Nutrition Fund is a UNICEF-led coordination and funding mechanism designed to accelerate the scale-up of sustainable policies, programmes and supplies to end child and maternal undernutrition in high-need countries.

For more information, visit: www.childnutritionfund.org

Laveille Kone, cuddling her 6 month old baby Korotoum, at the FRANC space in Tomba, in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. © UNICEF/UNI610268/Dejongh

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2984407/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_day_Saints___house_in_Mukwala_Village.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2984408/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter_day_Saints__Laveille_Kone__cuddling_her_6_month_old_baby_Koroto.jpg

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-commits-25-million-to-the-unicef-led-child-nutrition-fund-302777901.html

Other news

Bystronic dämpft Erwartungen: Auftragseingang wächst langsamer als erhofft

15.06.2026

Bystronic hat seine Erwartungen für das laufende Geschäftsjahr 2026 nach unten angepasst. Der Hersteller von Maschinen für die Blechbearbeitung rechnet zwar weiterhin mit einem höheren Nettoumsatz als im Vorjahr, erwartet jedoch keine Verbesserung der Profitabilität mehr. Bereits im zweiten Quartal 2026 dürften Auftragseingang, Nettoumsatz und Ergebnis unter den bisherigen Annahmen liegen, obwohl sie gegenüber dem ersten Quartal zulegen sollen.

Das Management verweist auf anhaltend schwierige Marktbedingungen im Kerngeschäft. Während die Nachfrage nach Biegelösungen stabil bleibt, leidet das Lasergeschäft weiter unter einer schwachen Marktlage. Geringere Kapazitätsauslastung und Preisdruck im Verkauf von Einzelmaschinen wirken zusätzlich auf die Marge. Hinzu kommt, dass der Trend zu stärker automatisierten Lösungen zwar den Auftragsbestand stützt, die Projekte jedoch längere Laufzeiten haben und sich der hohe Auftragsbestand dadurch langsamer in Nettoumsätze umwandelt.

Einen Lichtblick liefert die neu geschaffene Geschäftseinheit Bystronic Rofin. Sie trägt nach Unternehmensangaben weiterhin positiv zum Konzernergebnis bei, gestützt von einer robusten Nachfrage nach Anwendungen im Halbleiterbereich. Dieser Bereich soll auch dazu beitragen, dass der Konzernumsatz 2026 insgesamt über dem Niveau des Vorjahres liegt, auch wenn die Ergebnisqualität im Vergleich zu 2025 zurückbleiben dürfte.

Konkrete Zahlen zu Auftragseingang, Umsatz und Ergebnis nannte Bystronic bislang nicht. Ausführlichere Informationen zur Geschäftsentwicklung und zum weiteren Ausblick will das Unternehmen mit dem Halbjahresbericht vorlegen, der am 23. Juli veröffentlicht werden soll. Dann dürfte sich zeigen, in welchem Ausmass der Druck im Lasergeschäft und die Verzögerungen bei Automationsprojekten auf die Jahresziele durchschlagen – und wie stark Bystronic Rofin diese Effekte im laufenden Jahr abfedern kann.