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The venereal diseases prevention posters made by war propaganda departments have got very little attention from the modern media. It is very interesting to learn how armies deal with gonorrhea and syphilis in 20th century before the invention of antibiotics. That review will help to modern readers to understand better the psychology of Europeans during the Second War War.1.UNITED STATES OF AMERICAThe USA military has always taught new troops the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Every soldier at some time in his basic training was forced to sit through what was used to call a "Susie Rotten-crotch" film where a soldier is shown out meeting a local female, only to appear at sick call with gonorrhea or syphilis shortly afterwards. The U.S. Government and its agencies prepared posters during WWII in an attempt to keep servicemen free of VD. The following posters were aimed at specific services and show that they were each considered vulnerable and addressed.Arthur Szyk caricature: Fool the AxisIn the above 1942 warning poster about VD, the three Axis leaders are shown with hypodermic needles, ready to give shots to soldiers with sexually transmitted diseases. The text of the poster is "Fool the Axis – use prophylaxis, prophylaxis prevents venereal disease!" During the war the medical corps had a prophylaxis kit that would sometimes be issued to soldiers going into town.The American artist who created the poster, Russian born Arthur Szyk (1894-1951) attended art school in Paris before enlisting in the Russian Army in 1914. He served for six months and saw front-line action. After World War I he fought as an officer in a Polish guerilla regiment against the Bolsheviks and eventually located in Paris with his new wife. With the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 he began producing cartoons and eventually moved to New York City. During the war he created numerous covers for Collier's magazine. Hitler put a price tag on Arthur Szyk’s head. The American press called Szyk a "one-man army against fascism." The Times of London declared his art work to "be among the most beautiful...ever produced by the hand of man."A second poster (1943) , shows the same three enemy buffoons discussing the disease marked "VD" with actual microscopic pictures of the microbes. The syphilis spirochete, chancroid gram-negative bacilli, and gonorrhea gram-negative diplococci are all depicted as Tojo says "American soldier could catch it with ease" and Hitler answers, "but prophylaxis prevents disease."During World War II, the leaders of the Axis powers (Hitler, Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo) were depicted by Allies as monsters. The enemy leaders were caricatured as gorillas, skeletons, rats, or whatever the Allied warriors could dream up. This was all part of the process of wartime depersonalization, and the resultant new image of him as vermin good only for killing. Nazis propagandists used exactly the same effective tactics of dehumanisation of the enemy for the killing purpose.She is our Sunshine…After seeing Arthur Szyk’s work this poster seems rather lame, but once again it vilifies Hitler and the Japanese and points out that a lovely bathing beauty, “Miss GI Pickup of ‘44” will infect “you, you, an you” with VD.Here we see that Walt Disney has joined the war against VD. Donald Duck has been drafted and is thinking of having sex with a beautiful woman but finds himself without the safety of a Prophylaxis.Axis AgentsThis poster also uses the theme that it helps the Axis when you are infected with a venereal disease. It implies that it is almost treasonous to have sex with a prostitute because it hurts the war effort.Pages from War Department Pamphlet No. 21-15U.S. Government produced a number of pamphlets, flyers, leaflets and other published literature in an attempt to reduce the rate of VD among the troops. The booklet, War Department Pamphlet No. 21-15, depicts American troops hitting the beaches from a landing craft on some foreign shore and warns that VD might take them out of the picture. One wonders about the effectiveness of this illustration as positive propaganda. Given the choice of attacking a machine gun nest at Normandy or getting a needle in the butt at a comfortable aid station in the United Kingdom, the latter seems somewhat preferable. This 16-page War Department brochure is entitled Sex Hygiene and VD – Venereal Disease was first printed in 1940 under the direction of the Surgeon General of the Army with an introduction by Secretary of War Marshall. It was issued to every new recruit and discusses sexuality in general and attempts to educate the young soldier on all of the emotions and desires he might encounter away from home. It was issued again in 1943 with a slightly changed cover. Some of the introduction is:The Army can protect you from many diseases but you will have to protect yourself from syphilis and gonorrhea. The only sure way is to stay away from women. Don’t forget that any woman who lets you use her, or who consents easily, is not safe.If you wait until you marry, you’re safe and keep your self respect. You also play fair with the girl back home whom you expect to play fair with you. There’s no substitute for moralsShe may look Clean –ButIn this poster we see a mix of Army, Navy and a civilian together. In a way, civilians were part of the war effort because they built the weapons and kept the economy moving. So this poster warns all three of the dangers of having sex with a prostitute. It can hurt the war effort.USA Propaganda posters promoting the use of condoms :U.S. Government WWII Posters for the Military Services. USA propaganda posters promoting the awareness of syphilis and gonorrhea:These posters look funny and very naive to me. It's doubtful that they could avert young men from the idea to have a sex with women because of illness.2. UNITED KINGDOMThe British Army, which had no clear strategy other than the ineffective one of placing sections of Naples out of bounds, reacted to the soaring VD rate by blaming it on the Germans. A circular that arrived in all units by Christmas warned: “From reports that have been received it is apparent that prostitution in occupied Italy and Naples in particular, has reached a pitch greater than has ever been witnessed in Italy before. So much is this so that it has led to a suggestion that the encouragement of prostitution is part of a formulated plan arranged by the pro-Axis elements, primarily to spread venereal disease among Allied troops. The British were defeated by the prostitutes and decided that it must be part of a devious Nazi plot.The British military historian John Costello talks about the problem with prostitutes and venereal disease in Love, Sex and War:Changing Values, 1939-45, William Collins, London, 1985.Prostitutes were made synonymous with venereal disease not just by the Germans, but also by the British and United States army commands, who declared war on the women who had been blamed for the million and a half syphilis and gonorrhea casualties suffered by the Allied armies in World War I. The German armed forces applied the lessons learned twenty years earlier when the Kaiser's army strictly regulated the 'sexual logistics' of the troops and thereby cut its VD casualty rate to half that of the French army by 1918. Corpsmen collected the fees at the medically supervised military brothels behind the front lines, imposing a strict ten-minute time-limit per man during the evening 'rush hour' and providing prophylactic treatments as well as keeping a detailed log of the visitor's rank and regiment so that fines could be levied from those who failed to report contracted venereal infections.VD - Hello boy friend, coming MY way?A colorful 1943 VD poster produced in Great Britain by Reginald Mount depicts a female with the face of a skull in bright pink bonnet. The text is "VD - Hello boy friend, coming MY way? The 'easy' girl friend spreads Syphilis and Gonorrhea, which unless properly treated may result in blindness, insanity, paralysis, premature death. If you have run the risk, get skilled treatment at once. Treatment is free and confidential."In World War I the venereal infection rates of the British army were 7 times higher than the Germans, principally because national prudery prevented the British high command from acknowledging that there was any problem at all until 1915, when the Canadian and New Zealand prime ministers forced the chiefs of staff to issue free contraceptives to the troops.Venereal DiseasesThis British WWI poster is interesting because at the time they list only two forms of venereal disease. Now there are about a half dozen known to exist. Notice they do not list antibiotics. They were unknown at the time. In November 1918, bottles of potassium permanganate lotion and tubes of calomel cream were given to soldiers stationed overseas to use for self-disinfection. Still, the British had 150,000 admissions to the hospital for VD in France during the war. Many of the patients had self-inflicted VD. That is, they chose to catch it hoping it would keep them out of the front lines. In later wars, troops would sometimes shoot themselves in the foot to become hors de combat.3. THE SOVIET UNIONSoviet Union did not have venereal diseases such as syphilis or gonorrhea before the outbreak of the WW2. The moral standards of Soviet citizens were exceptionally high, Russians were very healthy before the WW2, they had lived according to the religious principles and state laws. Prostitution was prohibited and criminalized in USSR, it was absolutely no brothels, not even one. Germans changed it, they opened brothels and legalised prostitution. The WW2 was a total disaster for USSR, the whole country got sick of the war had never been recovered since then.Inhabitants of the Russian city of Kursk have never had any syphilis before the war but during the German occupation hundreds of local women were infected with syphilis by German soldiers. Women didn't get any treatment but were imprisoned and killed as a punishment.(Ehrenburg I.G., ““The New order” in Kursk”)“Fritzs are professional rapists, fornicators with solid experience, hereditary baboons. They have polluted the whole of Europe.” - wrote Soviet journalist Ilya Ehrenburg in 1943Red Army soldiers had no syphilis neither gonorrhea utill they advanced to liberate occupied USSR that was 4 years under the Nazi yok. When they moved to the Central Europe especially to Germany the situation got worse. In Romania Soviet soldiers were very surprised to meet local girls that demanded money for sex. This phenomenon was very alien to the Russian mind, obviously Russian soldiers refused to pay and consequently had a big trouble (fight, police complaints) from Romanian prostitutes and their husbands that were pimps. In Germany Soviet soldiers met another foreign style, German women freely offered sex for pleasure however later was discovered that many of those women had honorea and syphilis.. A lot of Soviet soldiers got it that was really trouble for Soviet authorities.USSR. The leaflet #1857The leaflets prepared by the Soviet Union for Germany were occasionally sexual in nature, insulting, usually long winded, and sometimes contained a safe conduct pass. Soviet leaflet #1857 contains all of these attributes. This Russian leaflet is aimed to destroy the morale of the German soldier by informing him that while he is at the front Hitler replaces them by foreigners who are taking their jobs, their land and their women. The leaflet is entitled Auslaender nehmen Deinen Platz ein! "Foreigners are taking your place." The first paragraph mentions the various nationalities that have been sent to Germany to work on the farms and in the factories; French, Italians, Slovaks, Dutch, and more. Two pictures are depicted on the front, a soldier holding his rifle at the top of the leaflet with the caption "While he squats in the bunker," and a female in the arms of another man at the bottom with the text, "his wife amuses herself with a foreigner." There is a photograph of her husband in uniform on the wall behind them. This was a common image on many Russian leaflets. The back is all text. Two letters are depicted from lonely German wives to their husbands at the front. The letters are designed to intensify the feeling of uneasiness among the German soldiers. One says that the foreigner plows his field now that he is away at the front. It says that foreigners sleep in the beds of German women, and many of them are the wives of soldiers. The second letter says that Berlin is now so international that the German language is hardly ever spoken or written. On the reverse, the leaflet tells in no uncertain terms, "Yes soldier, you should know: there are women who like to get involved with foreigners. You should also know: People who are gathered from all parts of the world will infect German women with venereal diseases of every kind. Family life will break up…should you, soldier, ever come home, you might be received by your wife with a black curly-headed Italian half-breed in her arms, and it will be your joy to raise this illegitimate child…" The leaflet offers hope. After the appeal "German soldier! Must this be? No! Your place is at home…Don’t take the war any longer! Your family is waiting for you!" The message encourages the German soldier to leave the war. Hitler is blamed for everything. He has forced the German people into the war and taken everything that makes life worthwhile. The leaflet ends with "No longer take part in the war! Your family waits for you!" There is a passierschein safe conduct pass in German and Russian at the bottom of the leaflet.4. NAZI GERMANYBy 1942, the Wehrmacht was running over 500 “Wehrmachtsbordellen,” and the setting-up, running, and supply of these establishments was the responsibility of the Area Commander (Ortskommanturen). Disease control was the responsibility of the area medical officer, and the girls would be checked twice a week by local doctors. There were “special rules” for Officer's facilities, for which a hotel character was to be maintained. Every Army brothel was required to have a prophylactic station (Sanierstube). They were to be marked with a small blue light marked with the Red Cross.German WWII Soldier’s Certificate to Visit a ProstituteThis certificate was issued to WWII German soldiers who wished to have sex with a prostitute in a brothel. They turned in their identification tag and received this certificate. They would write the name of the prostitute at the lower right and upon leaving the brothel turned in the certificate to a medic and had their identification tag returned and received treatment if it was deemed necessary. The text is:Entry to the brothel is permitted only with this ID card!Name of the sanitation roomContinuous numberDateAfter leaving the brothel you are ordered to visit the sanitation room at once for protective treatment. Your identification tag will be returned only after successful sanitation.Name of the prostitute:____________________Other forms of these passes might contain the following instructions: a Certificate of subsequent prophylactic treatment; Number and unit on dog tag; Field-post number of recipient; The above received prophylactic treatment at ____ hours under a control number of prophylactic station no. ____ and is thus certified by: Rank, name; and This document is to be kept for 3 months and is to be presented in the event of sickness.Brothel rules obliged visitors to disinfect female genitals after sexual acts. According to testimonies of soldiers they didn't really like that procedure . Here are two testimonies of German soldiers:Obergrenadier Martin Eichenseer of Stabs Kompanie, G.R. 916:"The first time I went I was a lad of 17-½ and still somewhat of a virgin, I never had intercourse but had done other things with the local girls. With my pockets filled with the 'regulation equipment', I went to the brothel in St. Laurent. I was very nervous and did not know what to expect. When my turn came I went into a room with a very good-looking girl about my age from Slovakia. She had dark hair and big breasts. Sex with her was great even though I didn't know what she was saying. We weren't supposed to pay them in the Army brothels but I gave her some money anyway. The worst part was when she spread her legs and I had to spray her with the can of disinfectant. Only then would she sign my card. You had to bring back the empty can with the pass. If you didn't spray or bring it back you got two weeks extra labor and guard for punishment.The next time I went I was excited at seeing this Slovak girl again but to my disgust I got this German woman who was in her late thirties, although I wouldn't mind her now, ha ha. She was big-breasted but flabby and had "a lot of wear on her tires" if you know what I mean. I just couldn't do it. She finally told me to close my eyes and she performed oral sex on me. It wasn't too bad as I thought of the other girl. She signed my pass and I left. On the way back I realized I still has a full can. In order not to get in trouble I sprayed it empty in the woods. I would have gone again but the war got in the way."Obergefreiter Josef Brass, Nr. 1 Kompanie, Pionier Bn. 352:"In Russia we didn't get to go to any but in France they were quite plentiful. The women were about average in appearance but certainly knew how to please a man. But as young and virile as we were then it didn't take much. Many of the younger men, 17-19 years old, didn't go because they were embarrassed by the things they were required to do, such as disinfecting the woman's genitals. I always felt that the army procedures were a bit too much but then again no-one I know of ever got a disease from an Army brothel. And if you did they knew which girl gave it to you and who ever else she had sex with and everyone could get cured. Some of us did go to the local civilian ones, the girls were prettier and acted like they enjoyed it. However if you got V.D. from one of them it was bad luck. You got cured then sent East to serve in a Penal Battalion for two weeks to three months. Being a "500" (slang for military prisoners) was no easy life and chances were slim you would make it back. In any event the Army tried to give us the best it could under the circumstances.5. ITALYThe Italian campaign more than any other in World War II confronted the British and American military commanders with their impotence when it came to coping with endemic prostitution. A foretaste of the problem was given by British medical officers in Sicily, who were treating 40 thousand VD cases a month, 20 times more than the number treated in England. As one report advised, “prostitution is almost universal among all but the highest class of Sicilian women.”Government-regulated brothels also existed in all of the large towns. Control had broken down, although General Patton wasted no time trying to restore it by putting US Army medical teams into Palermo's six large houses of prostitution. This did not endear him to General Montgomery, his arch rival, whose pride as well as his Puritanism was offended when it was announced that the brothels were open for business again – under US Army management. The invasion of Italy proper magnified the scale of the problem. But it was the capture of Naples in October 1943 that pitched the American and British commands into a two-year battle with an army of prostitutes – a battle Allied chaplains and doctors of both armies would later concede they lost.6. THE PROPHYLAXIS KIT AND INSTRUCTIONSThe Prophylactic Kit:Instructions:During the war, medics are generally supplied with prophylactic kits in bulk. These can be used to treat soldiers, or are often just given to the men to take with them on leave. The kits can contain different items, but during WWII soldiers were often issued an “Individual Chemical Prophylactic Packet” designed to allow him to perform prophylactic treatment on himself if he feared he might have had sex with an infected woman. The individual packet contained a tube containing 5 grams of ointment (30% calomel + 15% sulfathiazole), a direction sheet explaining how to apply the ointment, a soap impregnated cloth and cleansing tissue. Sometimes the men were issued condoms (usually 3 to a pack) and sometimes they were given sulfa or other pills to carry “just in case.”It must be told that syphilis is horrible ancient contagious disease; it starts from the little painless pimple and in the last stage it brings the body to the full disfiguration, tumors, blindness and paralysis. The untreated person slowly but surely, during few years, painfully get rotten alive. If I would be the WW2 propagandist I would scare guys with these real pictures of patients with the last stage of syphilis:The Italians called it ‘the French disease’ and the French called it ‘the Neapolitan disease’. The Russians knew it as ‘the Polish disease’ and the Poles called it the ‘German disease’. To the people of Flanders and North Africa it was ‘the Spanish disease’, while to the Spanish it was known as ‘las bubas’. The British called it ‘the pox’, but you will know it as syphilis. Syphilis - Wikipedia7. OTHER POSTERSVenereal disease (VD) was epidemic in the early twentieth century; estimates were that 1/10 people would contract syphilis at some point in their lives and even more would get gonorrhea. In spite of these startling facts, VD remained a taboo topic because of the stigma associated with these diseases.However, in the 1930s, popular attitudes about venereal disease changed dramatically in the United States. Syphilis and gonorrhea became topics that people commonly encountered in their everyday life—in all types of media, at work and school, and in a multitude of public spaces.1.MercuryBefore antibiotics were introduced in 1943. VD were treated with mercury and sulfa. If you got strep throat or some other infection you took the sulfa and were warned to wash it down with a lot of ginger ale. The antibiotics like penicillin came in with WWII and were a great boon to mankind in general. In the bad old days one of the treatments was mercury, and that is a poison itself. After hundreds of years of suffering, the introduction of penicillin in the 1940s meant that infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia could finally be cured. But today, with less than half of young people regularly practising safe sex, syphilis is on the rise once more. In 2017 there were 7,137 cases reported in England, a 20 per cent increase from 2016, and a shocking 148 per cent increase from 2008. Before you decide to risk it, spare a thought for our ancestors and the horrors of syphilis they had to endure – and always wrap it up.The poster was produced for the Ministry of Health promoting the first national campaign about venereal diseases. It was aimed at warning service men against the health risks of promiscuous sexual behavior. Women at the time were finding themselves in contrasting situations of sometimes-unprecedented liberty and discipline, often combined with sexual ignorance. Having to stay faithful while the men were away fighting, in charge of the household for the first time, freed from the presence of a male in their family household for perhaps the first time. There was limited information available to them on bodily functions, sex or birth control.2.Almost all of the artwork we see warns the soldiers to stay away from loose women. Here, that poster warns women to stay away from these “over-sexed, over-paid, and over-here” horny American GIs landing in Great Britain in 1944 in preparation for D-Day.3.A Sorry Ending to a FurloughIn 1946 as the war ended and hundreds of thousands of troops were still overseas, the military tried again to keep them safe from disease. An artist by the name of Ferree painted a poster that depicted a sad GI sitting on his cot. The text is, "VD- a sorry ending to a Furlough. Prophylaxis prevents venereal disease!"4.You Kept Fit and Defeated the HunThe colorful poster depicts a smiling “doughboy” with an American eagle on his shoulder standing on the helmets of defeated Germans. The text is:You kept fit and defeated the Hun.Now set a high standard.A clean America!Stamp out venereal diseases.5.We’ve fought in the open—bubonic plague, yellow fever, tuberculosis. Now Venereal DiseaseH. Dewitt Welsh crea. ted this WWI poster and it was published by the H. C. Miner Lithograph Company of New York. A semi-dressed female figure, representing Venereal Disease, is shown pouring blood from a wine glass. Chained to her left wrist is a vulture, standing on a skull. Beneath her are three macabre figures representing6.Soldier, the country counts on youVD was also a problem among the French. In 1916, Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen printed a poster for French soldiers fighting in WWI. The title was "Soldat, La Patrie Compte Sur Toi." The poster depicted a woman and man embracing, followed by the physically debilitated soldier on his hospital bed. A skull and crossed bones appear at the bottom of the poster. Due to prevailing taboos, no mention of syphilis or gonorrhea is made, but the words on the tombstone make a connection between morality and patriotism. The message reads:Soldier, the country counts on you - keep healthy. Resist the temptation of the street where a sickness as dangerous as the war awaits you… It carries its victims to decay and death, without honor, without happiness. . .7.Disease is disguised - Don't gamble with VD!This poster was produced in 1946 when the U.S. military was trying to enforce a policy of non-fraternization in the occupation zones between the USA troops and European women. It depicts a dark and ominous female hiding behind the mask of a healthy beautiful woman. The text is "DISEASE IS DISGUISED - DON'T GAMBLE WITH VD!" The poster was designed by Forsyth.8.Loaded?I like this poster because the girls are attractive and almost coy; not “trampy” at all. And, a Colt 1911 .45 automatic pistol is shown at the top. Notice that the pistol is cocked and ready for firing.9.Going home? Don't be delayed by VDThis 1946 poster shows a U.S. soldier at the end of the war waiting to return home. A map of Europe is in background. He is held in place by a rope that spells "VD" and is around his body. The text is, "GOING HOME? DON'T BE DELAYED BY VD." The artist is Schiffers. In every recent war American troops overseas are tested for disease before they are returned home. Any soldier found to have VD would be held until such time as a doctor pronounced him cured. He would be allowed to board ship at that time.10.AlmostIn one of the most attractive and poignant 1946 posters an American soldier (probably airborne by his bloused boots) stands at the dock and watches a troopship taking his buddies home to the U.S.A. He is held back by a ghostly hand marked "V D." The text is "ALMOST!" The artist is Schiffers. It was not an easy task to tell a man who had not been home for several years that he was "red-lined." There were several cases of doctors or medics being threatened, and it was one case where a G.I. pulled a knife on a First Sergeant after being told that he was held over in Southeast Asia.The entire concept of producing posters and leaflets of the subject of sexually transmitted diseases had to be approached with great care. Before the WW1 such things were not even discussed by proper gentlemen and ladies. In times of warfare when men are away on distant shores under stress, and women find themselves home alone perhaps for the first time, the subject must be broached. We have seen that some of the posters ask the men in uniform to use precautions as a form of patriotism so that they can continue to fight for their nation. Others imply that catching such a disease is almost treason in a time of war.8. BLACK VENEREAL DISEASE CAMPAIGNSThe black leaflets pretend to be helpful and offer hints on medical care, but are written in such a way as to demoralize the front line soldier worrying about his wife or girlfriend back home.Venereal disease has been mentioned in several PSYOP campaigns. It sometimes appears in white propaganda as a way to keep an Army healthy and moving forward. It is more valuable as black propaganda where it is used in several ways. Sometimes, one combatant tries to convince an occupied people that their invaders consider their women immoral and infected. At other times, one combatant will try to convince and enemy that their ally looks down upon their women. This was especially true in the Philippines during WWII where the Japanese implied on several occasions that the Americans saw the Filipino women as whores to be used and discarded. In other cases one combatant will try to destroy the morale of the enemy armed force while they fight at the front by stating that their wives and girlfriends are having illicit sex and being infected at home. Japanese black propaganda leaflet dropped during their advance in the Philippines alleges to be from the United States Army and warns American soldiers that Filipino women were uncleanThe German dropped a similar black leaflet on Allied troops in English language on the Western Front during WWII.British black propaganda 4-page booklet coded H.359The British produced several black leaflets in German language that mentioned VD. One coded H.336 and entitled Merkblatt - Deutsche Nachrichtenhelferin! The leaflet implied that citizens other than German are infected, and also hints that the wife or sweetheart of the soldier might have a "dalliance" while he is away. This certainly did not help the morale of the German soldier or the citizen of a foreign country either allied to Germany or sending workers into the Reich. A second (the image) British black propaganda 4-page booklet coded H.359 and entitled Deutsches madel! Vorsicht…(German Girl! Caution…) attacks the foreign worker (who sometimes volunteered to work in Germany to help the war effort) as a diseased individual.9. THE WHISPERS CAMPAIGNBesides leaflets, in an attempt to raise the morale of occupied Europe and lower the morale of the German military, civilians and their allies, the secret British Underground Committee produced well over 8,000 rumors, (they called them “Sibs” from the Latin sibalare – to hiss). Researcher Lee Richards mentions the whisper campaign and many of these rumors in his book Whispers of War, 2010. In regard to British propaganda rumors about sexual activity within the Third Reich and its occupied territories he lists dozens of moral-destroying rumors:4 July 1941 – German officers know the address of all the prostitutes in Amsterdam that have VD. They use them to get medical leave. It is called “krank durch Freude,” (Illness through joy).19 September 1941 – The girls in the Brest brothels have infected so many U-Boat crews with VD that it is now called “Malady V.”5 May 1942 – Of 50 Spanish workers who just returned from Germany, 37 have venereal disease.February 1943 - All women factory workers in Germany are to have a weekly VD inspection, carried out by medical students.11 June 1943 – The Germans have reduced the punishment for U-Boat crew members catching VD from a court martial to three days confinement.4 August 1944 – In order to slow the spread of VD in the German Army, boys under 16 have been forbidden to enter brothels.10. “THE ISLAND OF THE BLACK SYPH”Some WWII troops believed that there was a secret island off the coast of Greenland where horribly burnt and disfigured American soldiers were sent so as not to destroy the morale of their families in USA . Later during the Korean War, some soldiers were told of an island off the coast of South Korea where men with incurable venereal diseases were sent to die. The same rumours about secret islands existed during the Vietnam War. This rumor, or a reasonable facsimile, seems to have been circulating for at least 60 years.One of the most interesting rumors having to do with venereal disease was that of the mysterious island where service members with the dreaded and incurable "black syph" were sent to spend their last days in exile. Everyone knew someone who had a friend who had heard from a buddy that there was this deadly incurable, antibiotics resistant strain of syphilis. They whispered that rather than send a soldier home with this disease which would demoralize his family and the American public if the truth be known, the infected individual would be sent to this secret island where he would spend his last days in pain and dementia until he died.Private Bill Lupton of the 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds” talks about his personal introduction to the island in a narration entitled “February 1966” :You men need to use some common sense in dealing with these boom boom girls.Not only are they treacherous but they carry venereal disease,” There is another pause. “Now I know all of you men want to go back to your families safe and sound, and nobody wants to end up on the South Seas Island where they keep men who have venereal disease that will not respond to penicillin.They are not allowed to go back to the States until their syphilis is cured.”An Army veteran who was in Vietnam in 1968 heard the story a bit differently. It was gonorrhea, not syphilis:I heard stories about the Black Clap in 1968, and if you got it you were sent to an island off the coast till you died or a cure was found.A former cavalry man said:“I heard the story of the secret island in 1966 when I was stationed in South Korea. I heard the same story in 1968 when I was in Vietnam. They told us in glorious detail also about the “bullheaded clap.” This is where your dick swelled up and the medics took an “umbrella needle” and ran it up your crank and opened it and then ripped the puss and stuff out of your dick when they withdrew the “expanded umbrella needle.” I only heard that story in South Korea.”“I will tell you why some of the MIA’s didn’t come back from Vietnam, because the venereal disease they had was so terribly, terribly addictive and it could spread so fast we couldn’t let them come back. And those of you in Vietnam know that.”Most likely, the "black syph" story was invented and promoted by the U.S. military to terrify their young troops, lessen the fraternization with local women, and ultimately lower the rate of VD among the men.Sources:Venereal Disease Visual History ArchiveVenereal Disease PropagandaMiscman.comWehrmacht Brothels / der Erste Zug

I am not well today, so I hope you don’t mind that I just copy and paste this information from a previous http://answer.It will provide most o the information I think you are looking for.Is the LDS church ecumenical?Ted McCartin·June 6Elder/Lay Minister in the Church of Jesus Christ.Joseph Smith tolerant of all“If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear down on them? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better. I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way. Do you believe Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation which he revealed? So do I. Christians should cease wrangling and contending with each other, and cultivate the principles of union and friendship. I am just as ready to die defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination.” (Joseph Smith, Sermon 1843, quoted by Southern Baptist Minister Dr Lynn Ridenhour in a YouTube video)President Brigham Young also established cordial relations with other Christian denominations:He intervened on behalf of Father Edward Kelly to resolve a disputed title to Catholic Church property in Salt Lake City;He donated land in Salt lake City to the Episcopalian Church for the building of a church and donated money out of his own pocket to assist with the construction.President David O. McKay was always kind and respectful to people of other faiths, and he praised the good work of all churches.However, he was firm in his testimony that the fulness of the gospel is found only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To teach the importance of obeying the principles and ordinances of the restored gospel, he spoke of membership in the Church as citizenship in a great kingdom:“All churches and all creeds contain some good which lead toward the kingdom of our Father; but to become a citizen of that kingdom everyone must conform to the requirements made by the King. Indeed, there is only one way in which entrance into the Church of Jesus Christ may be obtained, and that is the way marked out by Jesus Christ, the Lord. ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ (John 14:6.)Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, Chapter 21, Introduction© 2019 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. (IRI)President McKay had many inter-denominational friendships that paved the way for inclusiveness and ecumenical equality. He had his own vision of a much wider, friendlier world.“There is a genuine affection between members of the Church and non-members. How did it come about? When you get to know a fellow, chances are you’ll get to like him too.” [1]His friendships included·Episcopal Bishop Arthur W. Moulton;·Rev. Warren Bainbridge of the First Methodist Church of Salt Lake City;·Rev. A. Cadman Garretson of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Ogden to whom President McKay gave a Latter-day Saint contribution that allowed the completion of a church remodeling project;·Catholic Bishop Duane Hunt;·Dr Israel Goldstein, president of the American Jewish Congress; and·Joseph Rosenblatt, a Jewish industrialist and Salt Lake City resident.Defining the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the domain of the Church’s President-Prophet. President David O. McKay was not fearful of the Church suffering from listening to or reading news with which they did not agree. President McKay made no secret of his passion for free agency (i.e., free will), speaking frequently on the subject in public settings.President McKay stated that all organizations, both governments and even churches, ran the risk of depriving their members of free agency, and his comments to this effect still stand as a timely warning to members of The Church of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Footnote [1]David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Wright, University of Utah Press, 2005, p.108. ISBN 978—0-87480-822-3Statement of the First Presidency RegardingGod’s Love for All Mankind(15 February 1978)The First Presidency (Spencer W. Kimball,N. Eldon Tanner, Marion G. Romney)Based upon ancient and modern revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from common mortal progenitors but as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father.The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.The Hebrew prophets prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who should provide salvation for all mankind who believe in the gospel.Consistent with these truths, we believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come.We also declare that the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to His Church in our day, provides the only way to a mortal life of happiness and a fulness of joy forever. For those who have not received this gospel, the opportunity will come to them in the life hereafter if not in this life.Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father. (“God’s Love for All Mankind,” First Presidency Statement, 15 February 1978)President Gordon B. Hinckley, former Apostle, and Prophet-President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:“We can respect other religions and must do so. We must recognize the great good they accomplish. We must teach our children to be tolerant and friendly toward those not of our faith. We can and do work with those of other religions in the defense of those values which have made our civilization great and our society distinctive…” (General Conference, April 1998)Of Rights and Responsibilities: The SocialEcosystem of Religious FreedomBy Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the SeventyThis talk was a keynote address at the Religious Freedom Annual Review at Brigham Young University on June 19, 2019.Healthy societies run on trust, confidence and a sense of safety. With freedom of religion and belief, people feel safe in their deepest convictions and can express and exercise them publicly. The great enemy of religious freedom is estrangement and alienation. When a society or government divides people based on what they believe, how they think, the words they say, whom they worship or the manner in which they worship, common ground is lost, and life together becomes a battle. The test of a pluralistic society is to achieve unity without diminishing the diversity within it.Religious freedom means nothing if you protect your own religious practice while neglecting the practice of others, especially those who might be less secure and able to defend themselves. It only works if you protect the rights of everyone. As Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has said, religious freedom is important precisely because it gives everyone — religious or not — the “space to determine for ourselves what we think and believe.”[1]In terms of numbers and inherited culture, the United States has a Christian majority, but unless it honors the lawful practices of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Native American religions and everyone else, including individuals and groups who profess no faith at all, it will fail to live up to its own ideals. [2]Footnote [1] “A Celebration of Religious Freedom,” interfaith address in São Paulo, Brazil, April 29, 2015.[2]Pew Research Center on Religion and Public Life, Religious Landscape Study, 2019, Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics.© 2019 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. (IRI)PART II: ECUMENICAL OUTREACH (CONT’D)For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ecumenism is about Christ-like love for our brothers and sisters with whom we share this Earth as children of our Heavenly Father, and performing acts of service to and with, these brothers and sisters.Topic: How Church Donations Are UsedMembers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endeavor to follow the Savior’s admonition to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those in prison (see Matthew 25:35–36). Millions of people have benefited from temporal and spiritual assistance through humanitarian and welfare donations.Breakdown of DonationsThe following are some of the ways in which Latter-day Saint resources and donations are used.TithingIn keeping with the biblical practice of tithes, Latter-day Saints offer one-tenth of their income to the Church. These funds are used to:·Provide buildings or places of worship for members around the world.·Provide education programs, including support for Church universities and seminary and institute programs.·Support the Church’s worldwide missionary program.·Build and operate temples around the world and administer the world’s largest family history program.·Support the Church’s welfare programs, which serve people around the world regardless of religion, nationality or race.Note: Not all Christian denominations tithe. Mostly because Tithing is taught in the Old Testament, many people, not fully understanding the book Acts [of the Apostles], think that it is not part of the New Covenant. Tithing was taught at early Christian church councils, including the Council of Tours in 567, as well as the Third Council of Mâcon in 585.Those who teach tithing TODAY include:·Joseph Prince (Joseph Prince is the evangelist and senior pastor of New Creation Church based in Singapore. He was one of the church's founders in 1983) WikipediaRETRIEVED Friday 13/03/2020. At the end of each television program there is an announcement that tithes should be paid to your local church;·Joyce Meyer (Joyce Meyer Ministries, Enjoying Everyday Life, Hand of Hope. Joyce Meyer is an American Charismatic Christian author and speaker and president of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Joyce and her husband Dave have four grown children, and live outside St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered near the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.) WikipediaRETRIEVED Friday 13/03/2020·Seventh Day Adventists;·Congregationalist Churches;·Methodist Churches;·The former Worldwide Church of God (WCG). There was a major schism in 1995, and from what I have read, The Restored Church of God led by David C. Pack as Pastor General is the correct successor to Herbert W. Armstrong.·Rev. Lovejoy of The First Church of Springfield in The Simpsons animated TV show, reminded his congregation that “tithing is based on ten percent (10%; 1/10) of a person’s gross income before tax.Fast OfferingsOn the first Sunday of the month, members of the Church in good health are encouraged to fast for two consecutive meals and donate generously to the Church the money they would have spent on food. These funds help those in local congregations, where Latter-day Saint leaders confidentially allocate funds to those in need, with the ultimate goal of self-reliance.Humanitarian AidLDS Charities, the nonprofit humanitarian arm of the Church, focuses on relieving suffering, fostering self-reliance and providing opportunities for service for people around the world regardless of religion, nationality or race. It sponsors ongoing initiatives such as maternal and newborn care, immunization, clean water, vision care, wheelchairs, refugee response and emergency and disaster relief throughout the world.When a disaster strikes, Latter-day Saints work with local Church leaders, government officials and trusted partners to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then purchased or assembled locally or shipped from Latter-day Saint storehouses. After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to aid in long-term efforts.One hundred percent of donations are used for humanitarian efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs and utilizes a global network of volunteers who generously contribute their time and expertise. Volunteers often live in the communities in which they serve.Welfare ProgramLatter-day Saints contribute to the welfare program, which is primarily designed to care for the needy within the stewardship of the Church. At the discretion of bishops, local funds can, where possible, assist others in need who are not of our faith. Individuals typically depend on the Church’s food assistance for a few weeks to several months before they become self-sufficient once again. In addition to meeting the need for food, clothing and shelter, the program provides vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities for citizens, immigrants and refugees. The approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self-sustained life.PHOTO CAPTION: Elder Adrián Ochoa, president of the Central America Area, assists in volcano relief efforts at a collection center in Guatemala City, Monday, June 4, 2018. © 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Perpetual Education FundDonations to the Perpetual Education Fund support Latter-day Saints in nearly 70 countries outside the United States to help them afford technical or vocational education. Loans are granted at minimal interest, and participants do their best to repay the loan as soon as possible to become free of debt and to enjoy greater self-reliance. Repayments from existing participants and donations are used to make new loans to qualified students. Since the start of the PEF program in 2001, over 90,000 loans have been offered in nearly 70 countries around the world. Donations to the Perpetual Education Fund also help support individuals in 130 countries to become more self-reliant through courses focused on getting an education, finding a job, improving finances and starting or growing a business.LDS Family ServicesLDS Family Services draws on charitable donations to offer counseling services related to addiction recovery, familial conflict resolution, abuse and other issues for individuals, couples and families.Helping HandsThe Church sponsors the Helping Handsprogram, which brings together members of the Church and their neighbors to provide community service all around the world. In recognizable yellow shirts or vests, tens of thousands of volunteers help people whose lives have been affected by disasters or other emergencies. Volunteers also partner with government and nonprofit organizations to support and improve the communities where they live; they clean parks, restore public structures and perform various other community services. Originally started in South America, the program has since spread to nearly every corner of the earth. Hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saints and other volunteers have donated millions of hours of service to their communities through this program.Other DonationsLatter-day Saints strive to follow the scriptural counsel to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (D&C 58:27). There are many opportunities for service outside of what the Church provides, such as those found on JustServe. The Church encourages its members to be generous with their time and resources in any way they can.Additional Resources·LDS Charities·Pacific Tonga eggs·Ixhautan working.jpg·Bishop Davies in Puerto Rico·Penn Research Shows That Latter-day Saints Are Generous and Active in Helping Others·Commentary: Publicizing Good WorksRelated TopicsWelfare and Self RelianceLDS Charities: How Church Donations are UsedRETRIEVED Friday 13/03/2020Topic: Humanitarian ServicesCaring for the poor and needy is a foundational belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Built on the principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance and sustainability, humanitarian efforts are designed to give individuals and communities the tools they need to improve their own circumstances in permanent and meaningful ways.Humanitarian service may include emergency response to natural or man-made disasters. It may also be part of a longer-term effort to meet serious and more entrenched human needs, such as alleviating disease.LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the Church, was created in 1985 in response to the Ethiopian famine. The Church called for a special fast and monetary donation among its membership. Since then, the Church has responded to many other needs around the world.When a disaster strikes, Latter-day Saints work with local Church leaders, government officials and trusted partners to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then purchased or assembled locally or shipped from Latter-day Saint storehouses. After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to aid in long-term efforts.A woman In Hyderabad, India, receives eye care from LDS Charities volunteers. © 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. vision-care-india.JPGClean water in Nigeria© 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Humanitarian efforts are also supported through nine signature programs of LDS Charities:Food Security: Benson Food (President Eisenhower appointed Ezra Taft Benson as Secretary of Agriculture. [Elder] Benson accepted with the permission and encouragement of church president David O. McKay; Benson therefore served simultaneously in the United States Cabinetand in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles). Ezra Taft Benson - WikipediaClean Water and SanitationCommunity ProjectsEmergency ResponseImmunizationMaternal and Newborn CareRefugee ResponseVision CareWheelchairsOne hundred percent of donations are used for humanitarian efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs and utilizes a global network of volunteers, who generously contribute their time and expertise. Volunteers often live in the communities in which they serve.The Church also sponsors many other welfare and self-reliance programs, including vocational, rehabilitative, counseling and other services. This includes millions of hours donated by Latter-day Saint doctors, nurses and other Church members each year. Thousands of professionals and volunteers give freely of their time and means to those in need, with no expectation of praise, publicity or reward.Through LDS Charities, the Church Does Humanitarian Work Around the WorldRETRIEVED Friday 13/03/2020Guiding PrinciplesLatter-day Saint Charities is founded on three guiding principles. These principles, based on our faith in Jesus Christ, empower individuals and families regardless of race, religion, or nationality.CARE FOR THOSE IN GREATEST NEEDWe are all connected and have a responsibility to care for people in need. In many instances, both immediate relief and long-term solutions are needed to help a community.PROMOTE VOLUNTEERISMWe all have gifts and talents to contribute. Through volunteerism, benefits come to those who give service and to those who receive service.INSPIRE SELF-RELIANCEEvery community has the talents and resources to find solutions to its needs. As individuals and communities become more self-reliant, they are equipped to solve challenges and lift others.THROUGH GENEROUS DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, LATTER-DAY SAINT CHARITIES HAS PROVIDED OVER $2.3 billion WORTH OF ASSISTANCE IN 197 countries SINCE 1985.2019 Annual Reports17 March 2020 - Salt Lake CityNews ReleaseLatter-day Saints Provide Disaster Relief to Tennessee Tornado VictimsIn mid-March, more than 1,200 helpers from Tennessee and Kentucky came to provide disaster cleanup, resources for victims, uplifting music and even photograph restoration.The deadly storm killed over three dozen people along its 50-mile path on March 2 and 3, 2020.“It’s like a war zone, seeing all the debris laying around,” described Randi Elliot, a local Latter-day Saint congregant who was affected by the storm.Elliot was sleeping when she first heard the tornado hit.“The window in our bedroom blew out,” she said. “We had glass everywhere … the house across the street was flattened.”“Until you see it when you’re there with your feet on the ground and you see the devastation up close, you have no idea how they lost so few people,” said Wendy Bird, president of a local Relief Society, an organization for Latter-day Saint women.Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined people of other religious and charitable organizations to repair damaged homes, distribute hygiene kits, cut down fallen trees and remove other types of debris.During the disaster relief effort, local Church meetinghouses were converted into command centers in the Nashville, Murfreesboro and Cookeville areas.Latter-day Saints also gifted storehouse supplies, including cleaning and hygiene kits, to local charities and government agencies.Among the Helping Hands volunteers who donated over 9,500 hours of cleanup time, some provided unique services.“I started a Facebook group called ‘Found in the Storm,’and we made it a place where it’s just for photos and things to be found,” said Sadie Barrientos, a Helping Hands volunteer from Cookeville.According to Barrientos, Tennessee Tech University took interest in her efforts and decided to facilitate photography enhancement and digitizing.Barrientos explained that she’s not only looking for photos. “As volunteers are coming into the building, we asked them to collect … wedding dresses, baby hats, anything that we think is salvageable that could potentially be returned to the people who lost everything.”Among those providing unique services was Jane Turvaville, a volunteer from Cookeville. Turvaville is a pianist and was asked to provide music for those providing cleanup services.To accomplish this, volunteers painstakingly lifted a piano from one of the local churches into a trailer. They visited many different destination spots for Turvaville to uplift those who were assisting with the cleanup.“I played all kinds of hymns — Protestant hymns, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hymns,” Turvaville said.“Workers were there, and there were lots of them from all different faiths and with all different-colored T-shirts,” Bird said. “And they all expressed the desire to serve their Savior.”Latter-day Saints Provide Disaster Relief to Tennessee Tornado Victims17 March 2020 - Kangaroo Island, AustraliaNews StoryLatter-day Saint Charities Makes Significant Donation to Kangaroo Island ResidentsLatter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made a significant donation to families and the community of Kangaroo Island, Australia on Saturday 14 March.The donation will help many who were seriously impacted by a major bushfire that recently burnt almost half the land mass of the island off the coast of South Australia.The Kangaroo Island “Ravine” fire tore through more than 200,000 hectares with a perimeter of over 600kms. First reported on 30 December 2019, the fire burnt for several weeks before it was brought under control. Two property owners were killed fighting the massive fire.A home on Kangaroo Island after fires ravaged the community in late 2019 and early 2020.Charred remains of a property on Kangaroo Island.Kangaroo Island, Australia. 14 March 2020.Missionaries in Adelaide Assemble Gift Wallets for Kangaroo Island FamiliesElder Ian S. Ardern Presents Donations to Kangaroo Island FamiliesChurch and community representatives participated in a humanitarian donation hand-over on Kangaroo Island on 14 March 2020. Island residents are are recovering from catastrophic fires in late 2019 and early 2020.It destroyed 65 homes on farm properties and other buildings. The world-renowned Flinders Chase National Park and its visitor centre, and many other tourism facilities were also affected.On Saturday 14 March 2020, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Ian S. Ardern, Sister Paula Ardern, Area Seventy Elder Paul N. Lekias, Sister Rebecca Lekias, Steven Petersen, Director for Temporal Affairs for the Pacific Area, and Sister LuAnn Petersen, travelled to Kangaroo Island to meet with Mayor Michael Pengilly and several families impacted by the fire. The visitors were accompanied by President Jason Ellis of the Adelaide Australia Marion Stake.Kangaroo Island Latter-day Saint Branch President, Shaun Hinves, and his wife Anthea, met the group and showed them around the island during the day. President Hinves, a professional bee-keeper, is one of many locals whose livelihood has been severely impacted by the fire.Elder Ardern presented 100 gift wallets to families who are recovering from the natural disaster. Within each wallet were three vouchers, each valued at $100, to be spent at the island’s hardware store, petrol station and supermarket. The wallets also contained several self-help ideas, and messages of love and support from missionaries from the Adelaide Australia Mission.Elder Ardern also presented four fully equipped trailers to Blaze Aid, a not-for-profit organisation whose volunteers repair rural fencing destroyed by natural disasters, to assist in their efforts.The Church had previously donated 10 semi-trailer loads of hay and water to farming families on the island.Mayor Pengilly was very appreciative of the donations, saying the items will have a major positive impact within his constituency.The Church leadership group visited two properties whose farms were significantly impacted by the fire. Mrs Paula Buck and her family lost two homes, several buildings, farm machinery and livestock to the fire.Paul Stanton’s family are well known farmers on the island, but also known for the work they do caring for injured wildlife. Even though their substantial stone home was destroyed, Paul and his family have maintained their care of local wildlife, some of which were injured in the fire.The visiting group saw the damage to the Stanton property firsthand, and also witnessed some of the great work they are still doing to care for injured animals.Elder Ardern was moved by the resilience of the families and their ability to rebound after the devastating effects of the fire. He said he was grateful that he and others were able to visit the island and that the Church could bring some relief through the generosity of Church members worldwide.Latter-day Saint Charities Makes Significant Donation to Kangaroo Island ResidentsEmergency Relief Efforts and Hope During COVID-1920 March 2020In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people around the world are in need of help, supplies, and support. At Latter-day Saint Charities, we believe that there is hope and that the best way to cope with emergency situations is to help each other. We are working closely with our partners worldwide to provide emergency relief and hope to those in need.COVID-19 Emergency Response EffortsWe are currently providing support, supplies, and funding in Cambodia, China, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.Efforts include providing medical and emergency supplies and commodities to healthcare professionals and patients. They also include training for healthcare professionals regarding physical, mental, and emotional support to those struggling. Funding and supplies are also being provided to help with the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.We are working with a variety of partners to maximize efforts in countries all over the world. As we monitor the situation worldwide, we will continue to evaluate new projects and provide help in additional places. We anticipate responding for months to come as families, communities, and nations band together to address the long-term effects of the virus. Strengthening and supporting each other long after the news cycle ends is part of the mission of Latter-day Saint Charities.Where the Church has canneries and food processing plants, production schedules have been adjusted to meet the increasing needs. The goods will be made available as needed to Church leaders, community agencies, school feeding programs, food banks, and other partners.Due to its global reach and long trajectory, this emergency is like no other. We are grateful for strong partnerships with governments, international non-governmental organizations, and the host of people around the world contributing to solutions. This event is more than any one organization can handle, and we thank all in the global community who have stepped up in positive ways to lift one another. We also thank the many thousands of people who donate to support the efforts of Latter-day Saint Charities. These donations allow us to respond immediately without any delay, and we are grateful for the generosity and trust of all who support these efforts.How You Can HelpAs an individual, you may be wondering how you can help during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular during this time, one of the best things you can do is be a good global citizen. Pay close attention to and follow the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the spread of the virus. Be good neighbors when shopping or using medical resources. Check on neighbors and friends in appropriate ways for the situation in your community. Creatively use technology to help people stay connected and to keep spirits positive. This is a time when every person can do something, and kindness is evidence of who we really are.Emergency Relief Efforts and Hope During COVID-19Latter-day Saint Charities responds to coronavirus, assisting with commodities and financing worldwideUpdated 21 Mar 2020 12:27 pm MDTIn helping address global health concerns, Latter-day Saint Charities is assisting with commodities and financing worldwide — from Asia to North America and into Europe and the Middle East — while working with Church canneries and food-processing plants to help meet increased needs.In a post titled “Emergency Relief Efforts and Hope During COVID-19,”on the organization’s website, Latter-day Saint Charitiesacknowledged providing support, supplies and funding to date in Cambodia, China, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Italy, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.That includes providing medical and emergency supplies and commodities to healthcare professionals and patients; training for healthcare professionals in offering physical, mental and emotional support to those who are struggling; and funding and supplies to help with the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.It also noted that the Church’s canneries and food-processing plants have adjusted production schedules to help meet increased needs, making products and goods available as needed to Church leaders, community agencies, school feeding programs, food banks and other partners.Latter-day Saint Charities’ work with partners worldwide maximizes its effort and reach, and the organization continues to evaluate new projects and consider help in additional locations.Inside a Church cannery in Harrisville, Utah. Credit: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.“We anticipate responding for months to come as families, communities, and nations band together to address the long-term effects of the virus,” the post stated. “Strengthening and supporting each other long after the news cycle ends is part of the mission of Latter-day Saint Charities.”Latter-day Saint Charities expressed appreciation for its partnerships with governments, international non-governmental organizations and others contributing to solutions. The organization also thanked donors who contributed well before the pandemic ever began, allowing for funds and commodities to be available for immediate response, without delay.The post also listed ways individuals can help during the pandemic:Be a good global citizen.Follow World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to help reduce the spread of the virus.Check on neighbors and friends in the community while practicing safe methods of interactions.Use technology to help stay connected and remain positive.“This is a time when every person can do something, and kindness is evidence of who we really are,” the blog post concluded.In its 2019 Annual Reportreleased last month, Latter-day Saint Charities documented its efforts last year in 142 countries and territories. In all, Latter-day Saint Charities completed 3,221 projects working shoulder-to-shoulder with 2,000 partners.Emergency response efforts included 194 projects in 64 countries and territories, while international community projects totaled 994 in 107 countries and territories. Community projects in the United States and Canada were done in 42 states and provinces.Latter-day Saint Charities responds to coronavirus, assisting with commodities and financing worldwideSorry about the formatting and that the photos didn’t copy.If you are really desperate for me to improve formatting and add pictures, get back to me and I will try to do it in the next week.