The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International is celebrating this month its 20th anniversary of providing development and relief assistance worldwide.
"Over the past twenty years, ADRA has forever changed the lives of tens of millions of people--both the lives of those directly benefiting from our projects as well as the lives of each staff and volunteer who dedicated moments and years of their lives to further the mission of ADRA," said Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. "As we celebrate this anniversary, we're grateful to each individual, foundation and government who has partnered with ADRA through financial support, prayer, time, and advocacy," Sandefur continued.
ADRA has experienced tremendous growth in the past twenty years. In 1984, it had less than 600 staff worldwide, had operations in 75 countries and provided total aid of US$24.7 million. ADRA currently has more than 4,000 staff worldwide, has a presence in 120 countries and provided development and relief assistance valued at more than US$120 million in 2003, benefiting more than 22 million people. Since 1984, ADRA has been lead by Executive Director Robert R. Drachenberg (1984-1985), President Ralph S. Watts, Jr. (1985-2002), and President Charles Sandefur (2002-present).
"The world we live in is one with continued great need. While we celebrate the achievements of ADRA these past twenty years, we also remain focused and passionate about the task ahead to improve the lives of those in distress and poverty around the globe," concluded Sandefur.
The Seventh-day Adventist church, a Christian World Communion, began organized international relief activities in 1918, just after World War I, when it sent aid to regions devastated by the war. More work was done in Europe, North Africa and Asia following World War II. Because of the increase in disasters and famine, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists created the Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service (SAWS)--later renamed Seventh-day Adventist World Service--in 1956, with the task of strengthening Adventist relief efforts.
As international development activities became more important to its mission, in 1984 the organization was renamed the Adventist Development and Relief Agency to reflect this broader emphasis. Since then, it has been providing community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity. Its core portfolio of activities includes Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health, Disaster Preparedness and Response, and Basic Education.