Adventist Development and Relief Agency continues humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, two years after the armed conflict erupted. ADRA has been at the forefront in Ukraine and neighboring countries providing critical assistance to the most vulnerable populations affected by the hostilities, including food, shelter, psychological support and medical care.
Within hours of the conflict beginning on Feb. 24, 2022, ADRA mobilized its global network of emergency response teams, thousands of Adventist Church volunteers and massive resources to assist children, women, families and individuals who fled their homes to avoid shelling and seek refuge across the border in other countries.
As the situation enters its third year, ADRA remains committed to providing life-saving humanitarian aid to children, women and families who have been internally displaced, as well as millions of refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.
"We keep everyone whose lives have been irreversibly changed as a result of the ongoing Ukraine conflict in our prayers," said Imad Madanat, ADRA International vice president for humanitarian affairs. "We are deeply thankful to the numerous partner organizations that have joined forces with ADRA in the relief efforts. ADRA is also profoundly grateful to thousands of Adventist Church volunteers in Ukraine, from Europe and throughout the world who have offered resources and hope to Ukrainians since the crisis began. In particular, we are indebted to our donors for their contributions that enable ADRA to continue serving as the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Ukraine."
According to United Nations Refugee Agency, the fighting in Ukraine has internally displaced about 4 million people and forced more than 6.4 million to seek shelter in Europe and other countries around the world, with more than 14 million needing humanitarian assistance in 2024.
ADRA contributed an estimated $40 million in humanitarian aid over the last two years to support emergency response operations and development projects in communities affected by the current crisis. Since the onset of the hostilities, its network relief efforts have assisted over 2.6 million people in Ukraine and hundreds of thousands of refugees who are now residing in various European countries and around the world.
ADRA has supplied more than 100 tons of food, countless truckloads of essential supplies, medicines and medical equipment, as well as shelter to over 2.1 million people, transported and evacuated over 100,000, and offered psychological, legal and protection assistance to nearly 500,000 Ukrainians, including children.
"We stood on the border between Slovakia and Ukraine when thousands of refugees passed the gate, just with their basic belongings like small suitcases of backpacks, women holding the children in their hands or their arms, elderly supporting each other, all tired, exhausted, freezing because of the minus temperatures, but happy to reach the place of safety," said Thomas Petracek, ADRA Europe head of programs. "We have invited them into the ADRA tent and provided them with a warm space, food, blankets and a place to rest."
Petracek continued, "This was the beginning of a long odyssey for the refugees but also for hundreds of ADRA workers and volunteers protecting and supporting them daily. There were many challenges, but also nice stories giving hope to all. Let us never forget that we are humans and need each other on good and difficult days. And this journey continues."
ADRA's crucial Ukraine response enhanced its capacities in disaster management, refugee and displaced person protection, psycho-social support and multipurpose cash transfer implementation. ADRA network offices throughout Europe have created or revised National Emergency Response Plans to better prepare for future emergencies and respond more quickly. The agency has also increased engagement with Adventist churches and volunteers and reinforced connections with governments, community groups and non-profit organizations.
Multi-Faceted Humanitarian Efforts
ADRA carries out humanitarian relief operations in Ukraine and European nations hosting refugees, with the help of partners such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, United Nations Refugee Agency, Adventist Church and other faith-based organizations. ADRA programs addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions for rebuilding and restoring internally displaced people and refugees in other nations involve:
- Food vouchers and nutrition kits
- Clothing, shoes and blankets
- Shelter and materials vouchers for hope repairs
- Children's summer camps and educational activities
- Legal aid and protection
- Psychological support
- Winterization kits, generators, stoves and heating systems
- Employment centers to train Ukrainians for new labor markets
- Language classes to integrate refugees into new communities
- Evacuation from conflict zones
- Transportation for bedridden patients, elderly people, persons with disabilities and orphans
- Financial assistance for the most vulnerable populations
- Medical supplies, equipment, hospital power generators and wheelchairs
- Medical check-ups for refugees and internally displaced persons
- Access to clean water, hygiene products, restorations to water treatment systems and improvements of sanitary conditions
Steadfast Commitment
ADRA Ukraine is actively working to ensure the Ukrainian population has the humanitarian assistance and protection it needs under the current crisis. It offers food kits, bread and food vouchers, cash assistance, shelter, non-food items, clothing and blankets, evacuation services from conflict zones, transportation for the elderly and people with special needs, legal aid, psycho-social support and children's summer camps.
ADRA Ukraine organizes large-scale programs that include home repairs, weatherization kits, heaters, solid fuel, stoves and heating systems. The country office supports the healthcare sector by delivering medical equipment, supplies and power generators to hospitals and clinics. Additionally, it offers wheelchairs for people with disabilities, provides access to drinkable water and needed hygiene items, and improves sewage and water treatment systems.
Other ADRA offices that have supported initiatives for Ukraine include the U.S., Canada, China, Great Britain, Italy, Korea, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Brazil, Taiwan and the Philippines. In total, ADRA cooperates with government entities, non-profit institutions and faith-based organizations from 35 countries.
"We are ready to face the most challenging humanitarian crises, helping internally displaced people not only to survive but also to restore and rebuild their lives. We firmly believe that every person deserves to live a fulfilling life, and we spare no effort to make this vision come true," said Loenid Rutkovskyi, ADRA Ukraine country director. "Even as public attention wanes, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide ongoing assistance to families struggling with the most difficult circumstances for as long as our help is needed."
Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in 118 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA's purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. For more information, visit ADRA.org.