On September 21, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) received the prestigious Sitara-i-Eisaar (Star of Sacrifice) award from the president of Pakistan for its work in providing emergency relief in response to the South Asia Earthquake of 2005.

The Sitara-i-Eisaar award, Pakistan's highest award for humanitarian relief, created to recognize humanitarian aid organizations, community groups, and individuals that provided emergency relief and rehabilitation work in the wake of last October’s disaster.

President General Pervez Musharraf presented the Sitara-i-Eisaar to ADRA International during a ceremony held at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, DC. The president of ADRA International, Charles Sandefur, accepted the award. Other organizations receiving the award included World Vision International, Catholic Relief Services, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

"It was truly an honor to be recognized in such a way by the nation of Pakistan," Sandefur commented after the ceremony. "ADRA International is also pleased to accept this award on behalf of the many donor offices and private donors who contributed to ADRA’s response."

On the morning of October 8, 2005, a severe earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Southern Asia, destroying much of the northern town of Muzzaffarabad and damaging thousands of villages in the region. The temblor was the biggest natural disaster in the history of Pakistan, affecting more than four million people.

ADRA responded immediately, providing aid for households affected by the deadly disaster. As the one-year anniversary of the South Asia Earthquake nears, ADRA continues to aid survivors, initiating long-term relief activities that will assist families in their ongoing recovery.
ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender or ethnicity. (ANN/APD)