In an ever-changing world, the centre of focus keeps switching rapidly from one humanitarian need to another. Our minds continue to focus on Ukraine's ongoing needs, which were joined by the earthquake earlier this year in Turkey/Syria. The September earthquake in Morocco rapidly joined this, followed even more swiftly by the October earthquake in Afghanistan.
On Sabbath 11 November 2023, the North England Conference held a 'ConNECted Leadership Conference' at Yarnfield Conference Centre inspired by the presence of Sergiy Nykyforov, the ADRA Ukraine Head of Development. He was on a short visit to his relocated family in the UK before returning to Ukraine.
Nykyforov gave an update on the terrible situation and the ongoing humanitarian needs of his country. He shared how ADRA is helping the needy and the suffering objectively and tangibly. He added that ADRA has reached 10,349,000 people, helping 6,727,000 (65%) internally displaced people and 3,622,000 (35%) non-displaced people.
Below is a list of how ADRA has targeted that aid to its beneficiaries:
- Food Provisions – 10million
- Protection (hotspot evacuation and transport) – 166,000
- Cash – 76,000 (US $14million)
- Shelter (housing restoration, solid fuels & heating systems) – 11,000
- WASH (Water, Sanitisation & Hygiene) – 44,000
- Health (medical supplies, wheelchairs and generators for hospitals) – 51,000
Helia Mateus, the interim ADRA-UK Chief Finance Officer (CFO), preceded his presentation. She gave a passionate presentation of the role and nature of the work of ADRA.
Helia explained what ADRA stands for by describing the acronym ADRA.
Adventist – it is your organisation. It is the Church's key conduit to provide humanitarian needs around the globe.
Development – provide sustainability projects in disadvantaged communities.
Relief – provide humanitarian needs in emergencies.
She further explained that ADRA seeks to:
1. Provide humanitarian aid during emergencies as outlined above, to:
- Save lives
- Alleviate suffering
- Maintain human dignity
2. Engage in international partnerships with disadvantaged communities to:
- Improve their well-being
- Address the causes and effects of poverty
3. Beneficiaries – In the last five years (2019-2023) ADRA-UK helped:
- Over 1 million people
- In 13 countries
- 53% of those beneficiaries were children
4. The critical areas of community support that ADRA-UK engages in are the number of beneficiaries in those five years:
- Education (500,000 in complex and conflicted affected areas)
- Safe Water and Nutrition (350,000)
- Food Security and Livelihoods (100,000)
- Advocating for the oppressed and marginalised
5. This year, they have been engaged in emergencies as outlined above in the following countries:
- Ukraine
- Turkey/Syria
- Morocco
- Afghanistan
Helia finally talked about the recent 'Justice Summit' held at Newbold College of Higher Education in Bracknell, to discuss Advocacy support in challenging parts of the world. She concluded with the text from Micah 6:8 "... and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
As we try to Reflect Hope in a troubled world, we humbly seek to fulfil God's commission to each of us to show LOVE to our fellow humans and help in the most tangible way possible.
