The humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), has committed to meeting the needs of people impacted by the unfolding conflict in Ukraine.
With ADRA Ukraine staff and volunteers in Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol and Mukachevo, ADRA is preparing to respond in any part of the country.
“As tensions along the eastern border of Ukraine increase, ADRA is committed to supporting humanitarian efforts to deliver aid and support to those affected by conflict,” said a statement released yesterday (February 24).
Humanitarian organisations are already working together to identify the greatest needs and to prepare to respond. Anticipated needs include winter clothes, blankets, food and other basic items. And, on both sides of the “contact line”, water supplies have been disrupted, leaving more than 400,000 people without access to water.
Additionally, ADRA has long-term programs that will continue to require support throughout this period of uncertainty. This includes continuing their program in the east of Ukraine where thousands of residents in the remote villages along the contact line are without access to water and other basic needs.
Efforts are being made to procure food, water and sanitation items, and non-food items to store in warehouses in other regions of Ukraine to be distributed if the banks and shops close. Similar work is happening to procure cash/certificates/vouchers. ADRA is also working to obtain petrol to fuel ADRA and partner vehicles to evacuate the vulnerable population where the local authorities are not able to do so.
An ADRA Australia and New Zealand representative suggested the conflict may be drawn out, and the local agencies were poised to help with financial and other support as the needs arose.
Adventist Record and ADRA Australia and New Zealand will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
