LDS Church responds to U.N. appeal for aid

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Thursday it is responding to a U.N. appeal for humanitarian aid to help civilians caught in the conflict between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and Israel.

"U.N. officials are asking for international assistance to meet the needs for three months of an estimated 800,000 people who have been displaced, wounded or otherwise affected by the fighting," the church statement said.

The church will send medical supplies, powdered milk, baby formula, hand soap and hygiene kits to the region and will also provide $50,000 to an affiliate of the International Red Cross.

The church donation of supplies will be flown to the affected region by Islamic Relief Worldwide. The planeload of aid is expected to leave Salt Lake City Tuesday. Representatives of IRW and the Hariri Foundation, a Lebanese development and education organization, will oversee distribution.

The statement said the church has met an urgent request for $50,000 from Magen David Admon, the Israeli affiliate of the International Red Cross. The donation will be used in Haifa for blood services, ambulance response and support of individual family needs.

Church spokesman Dale Bills declined any additional comment but pointed to a comment by the church's president. "President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has emphasized that the church's humanitarian assistance is provided to those in need wherever they may be without regard to religious affiliation, race, ethnicity or political persuasion," the statement said.