World Humanitarian Day: ADRA

Highlights the Importance of Aid

Workers
Thursday, August 19, 2010

For more information, contact:

John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager 301.680.6357

(office) 301.680.6370 (fax) John.Torres@adra.org

SILVER SPRING, Md. —The Adventist Development and Relief Agency

(ADRA) commemorates World Humanitarian Day by remembering all
the relief workers around the planet, including more than 6,000 ADRA
employees, who are providing life-saving assistance to millions of
vulnerable and undeserved people.

“For many communities facing conflicts, naturals disasters, and under

development, aid workers are a symbol of hope and renewal,” said
Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. “Each day they are
in the front lines in some of the world’s most difficult places ensuring
that families have access to a better and more dignified life.”

At present, ADRA workers are scattered in more than 110 countries

across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific
region, implementing programs in areas where they often face steep
security and developmental challenges, as it is the case in earthquake-
affected Haiti and in conflict areas in Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan,
Democratic Republic of Congo, and Yemen.

In spite of existing conditions, ADRA personnel are working closely

with communities through projects that focus on well rehabilitation and
drilling, food distribution, literacy training, agricultural support, sex
trafficking prevention, livelihoods training, health and nutrition
monitoring for young children, advocacy, and other development
sectors. In 2009 alone, ADRA workers assisted more than 20 million
people.

“Today, on World Humanitarian Day, let us remember the many

millions of the world’s people, living in such hardship in so many
places who look to us for help,” said United Nations Secretary General
Ban Ki-moon. “Humanitarian workers help them get back on their feet.
They help restart their lives.”

The General Assembly proclaimed August 19 as World Humanitarian

Day two years ago to commemorate the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in
Baghdad, which claimed the lives of 22 UN staff members, including
the world body’s top envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and
wounded more than 150 people.

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it happens.

ADRA is a global non-governmental organization providing sustainable

community development and disaster relief without regard to political
or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.