The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joins with eight leading nonprofit organizations to improve maternal and child health worldwide.SALT LAKE CITY, June 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announces the expansion of the Church's global efforts to improve the health and well-being of women and children under the age of 5. With many groups engaged in this important work, the Church will collaborate with eight internationally recognized nonprofit organizations–CARE International, Catholic Relief Services, Helen Keller Intl, iDE, MAP International, Save the Children, The Hunger Project, and Vitamin Angels to strengthen maternal and child health and nutrition programs to benefit millions of children throughout the world. This focused effort shows a church engaged in humanitarian work locking arms with industry experts in addressing an ongoing global concern.There are over 3 billion people globally who cannot afford a healthy diet and are at risk for malnutrition (The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2023 Report). This is especially problematic for the most nutritionally vulnerable populations including pregnant women, infants, and young children.According to the Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) 2023 report, approximately 148 million children under five are stunted, or are too short for their age and 45 million are affected by wasting or are underweight for their age.For pregnant women, more than one-third globally have anemia according to the World Health Organization.Ensuring proper nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is essential for the well-being of both mothers and their children.This collaborative work is critical to accelerating progress. Evidence-based nutrition interventions support healthy pregnancies, reduce infant and maternal mortality, and optimize growth and development.The Church joins eight leading nonprofit organizations to improve maternal health and child health worldwide. Post this"Each of these organizations has an exceptional track record of collaborating and implementing global programs to improve maternal and child health," said Relief Society General President, Camille N

New agreement will promote safely managed sanitation with a specific focus on women, girls and rural consumersDHAKA, Bangladesh, March 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SATO , an award-winning social business that empowers people everywhere to live a better life, every day, and to enjoy a brighter future through innovative sanitation and hygiene solutions, is pleased to announce it has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with iDE Bangladesh, an international NGO that aims to improve income, livelihood, and well-being for rural communities with its various interventions ranging from agricultural market systems, renewable energy, climate-smart technologies to increasing access to improved sanitation for rural households in Bangladesh.SATO PARTNERS WITH iDE BANGLADESH TO EXPAND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE SANITATION AND HYGIENEPart of LIXIL , a global maker of pioneering water and housing products, SATO designs and sells innovative, affordable and water-saving products. Its first product, the award-winning SATO Pan, had its launch in Bangladesh 11 years ago and is now used by millions of people around the world. Given the success of the SATO pan, SATO is increasing its product line in this core market and launched both the SATO V-trap and the SATO Tap in Bangladesh last year.SATO and iDE's MOU is expected to improve the lives of consumers across Bangladesh and aims to accelerate the country's progress towards the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 6.2. According to iDE, 39% of Bangladeshis do not have access to an improved toilet, creating health, social and ecological risks. Poor sanitation also disproportionately impacts women and girls, who must make unsafe, often solo trips to shared latrines or use open pits during their menstrual cycle. This initiative will address these consumer challenges, placing a specific focus on enhancing access to improved sanitation for women and girls in Bangladesh.Under the terms of the MOU, SATO and iDE will leverage their combined resources and expertise to effectively address the challenges associated with improving sanitation in rural communities

Under the new arrangement, Spieldoch will step down from her position as CEO on December 31 and will join iDE's staff on January 1.