In response to a deadly fire that consumed a boarding school for mentally challenged children in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has provided relief supplies for children who lost all their possessions in the fire.

The fire occurred January 8, leaving 13 of the 100 children residing at the school dead, and many more suffering from burns and other fire-related injuries. The survivors have been placed in another school for mentally challenged children also located in Dushanbe.

ADRA has donated 990 pounds of clothing, 100 items of bedding, 24 personal hygiene items, 100 diapers, 90 blankets, 100 towels, and 87 sets of toothpaste and toothbrushes. The project, valued at $5,500, was funded by ADRA International.

“We are grateful to God that ADRA could react in time to this tragedy and help the suffering children,” said Zafar Muratov, project director for the ADRA office in Tajikistan. “ADRA exists to be a help at the right time, and at the right place.”