"It is not difficult for me to retire from the management of ADRA Germany because I know that my successor Christian will meet the challenges of the international ADRA network", declared the former director of ADRA Germany, Erich Lischek. He is leaving after organizing and developing ADRA since 1986. "As relief agencies we have learned to join forces in major disasters. I am grateful that I was able to support these efforts."

Pastor Lischek founded ADRA Germany in Darmstadt in 1987 starting with only one part-time secretary. At present, ADRA has 28 employees and ten volunteers in the headquarters in Weiterstadt, close to Darmstadt. The charity also offers an apprenticeship in office communication.

Günther Machel, Chairman of the ADRA Germany board, thanked Erich Lischek: "From a humble beginning ADRA has become a major relief agency. Lischek has shaped ADRA Germany and he will continue to cooperate as managing director of the ADRA Foundation.”

Christian Molke is the new ADRA director, starting in January 2013. Previously he was leading the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the federal states of Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland, with 65 churches, 4.600 members and 34 pastors. Since summer 2012 Molke has been introduced into his new task.

ADRA Germany is part of the global ADRA network with 120 country offices. It is also a member of the Joint Welfare Association (Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband) and co-founder of the “Association for Development & Cooperation of NGOs” (VENRO), "Relief Germany" and "Together for Africa". In cooperation with the “Weltwärts-project” of the German state ADRA Germany is sending about 15 volunteers per year to support projects in Albania, Costa Rica, India, Kenya, Mexico, Moldova and Tanzania. For more information about ADRA Germany check the web site (English section) at http://www.adra.de/en/english.html.