At WFP Headquarters, Bishop Caussé Reinforces Commitment to Help the Hungry

Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Building on a decade of collaboration, the senior Church leader’s visit strengthened the ties between the two groups, both committed to helping those in need. He was warmly welcomed by WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain and Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation Rania Dagash-Kamara. Accompanying Bishop Caussé were David McMillan, secretary to the Presiding Bishopric, and Christian Ottiker, the Church’s Europe Central Area Welfare and Self-Reliance manager.

B-roll of the Church's work with WFP

“Our long-time collaboration with the World Food Programme allows us to foster hope and self-reliance amidst adversity,” Bishop Caussé affirmed. “By leveraging our combined resources and expertise, we are able to make a difference in the lives of those facing food insecurity. Inspired by the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ, we strive to follow His example in feeding the hungry and caring for those in need.”

The visit began with a poignant moment at WFP’s Nobel Peace Prize exhibit, followed by Bishop Caussé and McCain laying flowers at the memorial wall dedicated to WFP staff who have tragically lost their lives in service to the hungry. Afterwards, the group received important briefings on current emergencies. To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and the impact on beneficiaries, they heard directly from WFP Country Representatives in Chad, Ukraine, and Sudan.

A significant focus of the discussions was on WFP’s vital work in nutrition, school meals, and logistics — key areas where the Church and WFP have actively collaborated since 2014. Participants learned that WFP’s programs not only provide immediate aid but also build long-term resilience in vulnerable communities. Notably, the briefing on school meal programs highlighted their dual benefit: delivering essential nourishment to children while simultaneously boosting local economies by sourcing food from local farmers, thereby strengthening community resilience.

McCain expressed her deep gratitude to Bishop Caussé for the Church’s ongoing support and its genuine impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity. She also shared her hope for continued strong collaboration in the future.

“At WFP, we are grateful for our collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said McCain. “Our shared values of compassion and service to others inspire us to work together to end hunger and malnutrition, transforming lives and empowering communities to thrive.”

WFP’s Dagash-Kamara characterized Bishop Caussé’s visit as a “meaningful opportunity to discuss the breadth and depth of our 11-year collaboration, delivering impactful results across emergency response and sustainable development programs. We deeply appreciate our relationship with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is instrumental in our fight to achieve zero hunger and has enabled us to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.”

Last year, to celebrate 10 years together, the Church, WFP, and World Food Program USA collaborated to fund an emergency response hub in Barbados. Later in the year, the Church contributed US$8 million to support the WFP’s home-grown school meals program in Haiti, where half of the population struggles to find enough to eat.

Bishop Caussé’s visit on Thursday highlights an ongoing commitment, as this is not the first instance of a Church leader engaging with WFP in Rome. In 2022, his counselor, Bishop L. Todd Budge, presented WFP with a substantial contribution on behalf of the Church of $32 million to address what WFP aptly called a “seismic hunger crisis.”