29 March 2022 | St Albans, UK [Delia Fărâmiță, Bert Smit, EUDnews and tedNEWS]
More than ten million people have now fled their homes in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, creating one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is working hard to protect internally and externally displaced people. Though local offices, donations are distributed, and programmes implemented that make a difference in the lives of countless families.
ADRA UK
ADRA UK raised so far over £70,000, including £20,000 from matched funding from several churches. Additionally, the I AM Urban initiative is holding weekly meetings with key community services personnel to continue discussions on developing a collaborative approach to supporting displaced people. The team is looking at repurposing local community grassroots hubs to support refugees when they arrive in the UK.
ADRA ROMANIA
On Tuesday 22 of March ADRA Romania sent a convoy to Odesa, Ukraine. Donations, worth 23,000 Euros (roughly, £19,400) and exceeding 12 tons, were received by the local ADRA office in Kyiv and the Southern Ukrainian Conference (SUC). “In the context of the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian aid received is of great help to those in need in the Odesa area… The goods received will not be traded, will not be income-generating, but will be used entirely by Ukrainian refugees,” said Dimitri Popravkin, SUC president.
ADRA Romania also sent a convoy to Cahul, Republic of Moldova. on Sunday 06 March the donations were received by city officials. “Considering the state of emergency triggered in the Republic of Moldova, due to the humanitarian crisis created by the war in Ukraine, Cahul City Hall and the whole society mobilized their efforts to provide the necessary support and assistance to all refugees in Ukraine. To face this challenge, we come to thank ADRA Romania for… the support given in order to overcome this humanitarian crisis. The humanitarian help will be distributed free of charge to the refugees from Ukraine who are with us,” said Nicolae Dandis, Mayor of Cahul.
ADRA CZECH REPUBLIC
In partnership with ADRA Romania, ADRA Czech Republic donated 100,000 USD (roughly, £76,400) to assist a group of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova. It is estimated that 6,000 days of accommodation will be provided for 2,000 refugees, as well as food, hygiene products, medicines, and legal support. Additionally, ADRA Moldova has mobilised a team of volunteers that are welcoming refugees in their homes, meeting them at border crossings, offering hot drinks and food, and, most importantly, a warm welcome and a place of refuge.
ADRA, the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is one of the most widespread non-governmental organizations in the world, is active in more than 118 countries and pursues a philosophy that combines compassion with practicality, addressing people in need. To support the Ukraine appeal, please donate to your local ADRA office.
