The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Germany e.V. operates projects worldwide for the benefit of people. Currently, there are 38 projects in 21 countries.
Since its founding in 1987, ADRA Germany e.V. has carried out over 3,000 development cooperation projects in more than 40 countries, the relief organization reports. ADRA Germany is a globally active aid organization that maintains projects in disaster relief and targeted development cooperation. In addition to these activities, ADRA Germany coordinates development education work nationwide in schools and church communities and supports sustainable and social projects.
Over 30 years of experience
ADRA has over 30 years of experience in development cooperation. All project activities are integrated into the globally applicable 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. ADRA works in partnership with the local population to improve the long-term and sustainable living situations of people. Following the principle of “helping people help themselves,” the local population is involved from the outset in the planning and implementation of projects, empowering them to assert their right to a self-determined life with dignity and justice.
Whether hurricanes or earthquakes
Whether hurricanes, floods, droughts, or earthquakes – ADRA Germany helps people in need worldwide to secure their survival. The affected individuals receive protection, food, and initial medical and psychosocial care. Cleanup efforts are supported. In a medium-term phase of six months to three years, the foundation for reconstruction is laid. ADRA is a founding member of the “Aktion Deutschland Hilft” alliance to be able to provide rapid and coordinated assistance in the event of a disaster.
Development education and volunteer service
ADRA Germany also emphasizes development education work. Events serve to inform the public about the problems and challenges in countries of the Global South as well as the Global North, and about the work of ADRA. The relief organization sees its mandate in development education work also in showing the responsibility and challenges of countries in the Global North.
Through the volunteer service “ADRAlive!”, young people can engage in social projects both domestically and abroad. Additionally, the Christmas parcel campaign “Children helping Children!” is organized and carried out annually in cooperation with action groups in all federal states to benefit school children in Eastern Europe.
Projects in 21 countries
Currently, ADRA Germany operates 38 projects in 21 countries, benefiting around two million people in need. Here are some examples from the ADRA project list for the 1st quarter of 2024:
• For a greener Ethiopia. Since 2018, ADRA has been establishing a new branch of education in the field of renewable energies. Presently, ADRA is training 480 young people to become solar technicians in four additional vocational schools. 16 vocational school teachers receive further training, and learning materials are provided.
• The Maputo National Park in Mozambique is one of the country’s most species-rich habitats. Together with the Peace Parks Foundation, ADRA is advocating for better coastal protection and helping the local population improve their income.
• In Mali and Burkina Faso, 27,615 small-scale farmers are learning to increase their crop yields through new cultivation methods and improved seeds.
• ADRA supports 850 pastoralist families in northern Somalia with cash assistance to mitigate the effects of years of drought.
• As part of an education project, ADRA, together with Save the Children, helps 25,473 children and adolescents in Somalia to return to school.
• In India, ADRA cares for 4,000 refugees from Myanmar who have arrived in the states of Manipur and Mizoram.
• Together with people in four regions of Indonesia, ADRA is developing an early warning system to better protect families from disasters. Emergency plans also help residents make the right decisions in case of emergency.
• ADRA is leading the (re)construction of the health sector in Yemen. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), health care in Hudaydah and Hajjah is to be improved.
• In two provinces in Mongolia, 500 farming families are becoming organic farmers to increase their income and protect the environment.
• Emergency aid after a severe earthquake in Syria. The project benefits 51,060 people.
• Preventing human trafficking in Thailand. In the region around Chiang Rai, ADRA helps 6,900 people. Children from poor families have their school fees covered to keep them away from forced labor. Vulnerable youth are accommodated in a safe haven where they can attend school and receive psychological support. Training sessions inform families and authorities about the danger of human trafficking.
• Aid for flood victims in Germany. ADRA financially and logistically supports over 80 social institutions and local aid groups in Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Germany: Aid for refugees from Ukraine. So far, the assistance has benefited nearly 5,000 people. Since the start of the war, ADRA has organized over 1,200 accommodations for families from Ukraine.
• Winter aid in eastern Ukraine. As part of this project, ADRA helps 380 families get through the winter.
About ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was founded in 1956 and carries out development cooperation projects as well as humanitarian aid projects worldwide. ADRA is a non-governmental relief organization supported by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. ADRA International consists of a global network with 118 independent national offices and approximately 7,500 full-time employees. Information: www.adra.org.
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