Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
THE ADVENTIST Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a non-profit relief agency that offers help in times of crisis to the needy, no matter what their religious beliefs.
ADRA is the arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that deals with humanitarian disaster relief and community building. It is a network that operates out of 135 countries around the world. Whenever a disaster occurs in any of these countries, the others rally in support.
The Jamaican arm of ADRA has been extremely busy over the past year. The agency has been providing assistance to victims of Hurricane Ivan since the monster hurricane passed near the island last year September. ADRA's Hurricane Ivan relief work has already exceeded $300 million. And the work is continuing.
Just after the hurricane passed, ADRA undertook a major project in badly damaged southern Clarendon. The agency repaired homes that were damaged, which in many cases involved providing entire new roofs.
ADRA also repaired homes in south-eastern St. Elizabeth and, in conjunction with the Jamaica National Building Society and United States Agency for International Development, provided much needed monetary grants to the needy. This, in an effort to help them to get back on their feet after a year full of hardships.
A TRUE HUMANITARIAN BODY
ADRA is also working with the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica to repair several children's homes across the island.
And when the first group of Haitian refugees arrived in the island in 2003, ADRA played an integral role in providing them with humanitarian relief.
Pastor Claude Brown, director of the West Indies Union arm of ADRA, said next year will be equally hectic for the relief agency. He said there were projects planned for homes for the indigent as well as major water projects. The goal, he said, will be to provide potable water to areas where the commodity is most scarce.
While admitting that the need for poor relief in Jamaica seems to be growing by the day, Pastor Brown said ADRA remains undaunted and will continue to meet the growing need.
"The underlying purpose of ADRA is to help people. We are not biased by religion, gender or political affiliation. ADRA is a true humanitarian organisation," said Pastor Brown.
The agency works closely with other NGOs like the Salvation Army and Food For the Poor.
For their commitment to helping the helpless and their work to provide relief to Jamaicans in their darkest hours, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency will this year receive the prestigious Gleaner Honour Award for voluntary service.
