Category: ADRA

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ADRA Disaster Response Donations NEWS Partnership

ACS on Standby to Assist in Haiti Earthquake Relief

UPDATE – August 24, 2021

ADRA is on the ground assisting with the Recovery Efforts in response to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti few days ago. A needs assessment was conducted which reveals that food, shelter, and hygiene kits are the three basic needs. All the humanitarian items that are being distributed to the affected communities are bought in Haiti which is quicker, cheaper, and supports the local economy.

While these efforts continue to take place, ACS teams within the North American Division such as the Texas Conference are finding productive ways to support the work. They have partnered with Reach Out America to send 16 pallets of various items to Haiti, such as new clothing, shoes, blankets, hygiene kits, and clean-up buckets. UPS is supplying a 747 jumbo-jet to transport these items.

If you would like to help, ADRA International is requesting monetary donations at this time, given the hardship of sending supplies overseas. All financial support given to ADRA International will go directly to the local response team, ADRA Haiti, who has been the lead of this current effort.

Let us continue to remember those who have lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy, in our prayers.

On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti approximately 78 miles (128 km) west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, with a 6.2 miles (10 km) depth. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates “high casualties are probable and significant damage is likely” with the number of deaths currently estimated in the hundreds and thousands injured, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2021.

While ACS teams respond to disasters and crisis events within the North American Division, history shows us that many of our members are affected by such types of occurrences in the Inter-American Division as they have family and friends that reside there. Given this reality, we are in communication with our colleagues at the Inter-American Division, ADRA International, and ADRA Haiti to ascertain the needs on the ground and determine how we can be of assistance.

Even though ADRA is the responding organization for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, some of our conferences are standing at the ready to supplement and support their efforts as needed. The NAD ACS leadership is in discussion with these conferences such as Northeastern that have expressed concern and their willingness to render aid. Currently, a needs assessment is being conducted in the affected areas. The earthquake has left behind thousands injured, and many hospitals and clinics overwhelmed. ADRA is working in collaboration with these institutions to meet needs support requested such as transportation, food, medication, and other supplies.

Please keep those affected by this tragic event and the responders in your prayers.

Read the latest update by ADRA International.

People search through the rubble of a Hotel after an earthquake hit on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.
AFP via Getty Images
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ADRA Partnership

Partnering in Mission With ADRA

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is continuing to impact the U.S. economy, with over 36 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits. There are now more than 83,000 deaths and 1.3 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S., according to the John Hopkins University data dashboard. USA Today reports that the virus has killed more than 296,000 people and infected more than 4.3 million worldwide. Several states across the nation have already started to ease restrictions and reopen some businesses.

North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) is supporting the operations of our ACS food pantries within the Division, by investing 1.5 million dollars and allocating a grant of $25,000 per conference for relief efforts. We are excited to share that we are partnering with ADRA International who has committed $150,000 to support our food pantries who are serving families and communities amid the crisis. In addition, they are providing $2.3 million worth of medical consumables as gifts-in-kind and 426 boxes of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

W. Derrick Lea, NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, stated “We have teams that are working all over NAD to assist communities that are struggling to meet their needs. The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s two Disaster Response organizations, ACS and ADRA, are coming together for this effort to bring the entirety of our resources together to help in this unusual time of need. I’m excited at the prospect of seeing what these combined efforts will do both now and into the future.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting virtually every aspect of the ACS ministry and Adventist Church membership, from the division to unions and conferences to churches,” stated Sung Kwon, NAD ACS Executive Director. “The support of ADRA International has been much appreciated. We are thankful for their consideration and willingness to partner with ACS,” said Kwon. “This is not the end of the pandemic. It will remain with us, and this fight will continue for a long time to come. I encourage everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their family members, now and even after restrictions begin to lift. Let’s genuinely be kind and caring, reach out, and engage with our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members. As a unified team, ADRA International and ACS, together we are strong. Together we will not just persevere; we will demonstrate the steadfast love of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Kwon added.

Click here to read article by NAD Communications.

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ADRA COVID-19 Partnership

ACS Partners with ADRA on Coronavirus Response

ADRA has been engaged in hygiene and sanitation efforts in the aftermath of the novel COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that originated in the city of Wuhan, China. The virus which is spreading across the world at an accelerating rate may be at the brink of a global pandemic. The death toll is currently reported to be over 2000 worldwide.

We are partnering with ADRA to help deliver N95 masks for those in need in Hong Kong. The Adventist Hospital there has exhausted all their supply and thousands continue to get affected each day. NAD ACS Disaster Response Director, Derrick Lea, put out a request to our conferences within the Division, asking about the availability of masks in stock. Within 32 hours, the Texas and Carolina conferences had reached out saying that they had pallets of masks in their Warehouses and we could have access to them. This information was shared with ADRA and eventually an agreement was worked out with our friends at the Florida Adventist Hospital, who already had a shipment going to Hong Kong to be of assistance. Over 20,000 masks were picked up at these two conferences and shipped.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is working together with ACS DR, ADRA, Florida Hospital, and the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital to help a community being affected by this most recent crisis. “I am encouraged to be a part of this type of collaborative effort and I look forward to more of this in the future,” stated Lea.

Click here to read the latest article put out by ADRA on the coronavirus outbreak.

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ADRA Partnership

ACS Partners With ADRA In Puerto Rico Aid

Puerto Rico has been severely struck by more than 500 earthquakes just within a couple of days causing widespread destruction. The most devastating one in these series of earthquakes that hit the island last Tuesday was reported to be a magnitude 6.4.

ADRA International Emergency Management Director, Mario de Oliveria, and his team are on the ground leading the Recovery Efforts. The major need currently is shelter as many are afraid to return to their homes due to aftershocks. ADRA is distributing 200 tents to house families who are displaced.

Another essential need is blankets which we were requested to help with. Several of our union and conference ACS teams have shown support by providing hundreds of blankets. We have also acquired a significant donation of over 1000 blankets filling four pallets, from our Southwestern Union ACS led by Marshall and Julie Gonzales. They will be transported to San Juan for distribution.

Please keep the survivors of these earthquakes, as well as those who have been affected by other disasters recently, in your prayers. Let us also remember the responders as they bring aid to these communities.