Disaster Relief

Vanuatu Earthquake

At 12:53pm AEDT on Tuesday December 17, a magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck Port Vila, Vanuatu. At least 9 deaths and over 200 people injured have been reported so far. Over 80,000 people are estimated to be impacted and the Vanuatu government has declared a state of emergency. Main downtown Port Vila is closed to the public as search and rescue teams search the rubble of collapsed buildings. Businesses, homes and properties around Port Vila have been destroyed.

ADRA has distributed more than 4,000 litres of water, hygiene kits, dignity kits, and menstrual hygiene kits to families and individuals sheltering across five evacuation centres. The team is part of the Displacement and Evacuation Centre Management (DECM) cluster who are assessing the needs of evacuation centres, where many people remain too afraid to return home due to frequent aftershocks.

Health awareness campaigns, psychological first aid (PFA) and the dissemination of information materials are also part of ADRA’s immediate response. Medical supplies and clean water remain critical priorities for families left without access to these necessities. ADRA is working with the Department of Water Resources to help restore the water supply to affected communities.

Lebanon Conflict

ADRA is responding to the increased displacement crisis in Lebanon. Since mid September 2024, strikes against the engaged political party have occurred, with pagers and walkie-talkies exploding, and airstrikes in southern Beirut and more widely across the country.

Over 1 million people have been displaced, with food and water been identified as the greatest needs. ADRA is collaborating with the World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian agencies to deliver food parcels to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and provide e-cards (electronic vouchers) for food and other essential needs. ADRA also supplied educational assistance to displaced families at the Adventist Secondary School, such as textbooks and uniforms, as well as food and non-food vouchers.  Additionally, ADRA is working to ensure that communal kitchens and restrooms are operational to serve more people.  You can learn more about ADRA’s response here.

Papua New Guinea Landslide

A landslide struck Yambali village, Enga Province, causing significant casualties and property damage on May 2024, at 03:00 a.m. Initial estimates suggest over 2,000 people were buried alive and 670 individuals are missing, with efforts ongoing to confirm exact figures. Enga Provincial Disaster Committee has declared a State of Emergency, coordinating relief actions with national and international partners to address immediate needs and prevent further harm.

ADRA’s immediate response has included the distribution of food to the village. ADRA is working with the Disaster Committee to assess the situation and coordinate ongoing relief efforts.

Conflict in Gaza

ADRA is taking urgent action to address critical food security needs among displaced communities in Gaza in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

– Food Distribution: ADRA’s response includes the procurement, preparation, and distribution of more than 28,500 hot meals through community kitchens in North Gaza, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive nourishment during these trying times.
– Hygiene Support: ADRA will distribute hygiene kits to promote health and sanitation practices among affected communities, mitigating the risk of disease transmission.
– Food Parcels: Over 7,300 food parcels containing essential items such as potatoes, carrots, cooking oil, tomato sauce, and za’atar—an aromatic Middle Eastern blend of herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac spice—will be distributed to host communities through local cooperatives, providing sustenance and culinary diversity to those in need.

You can read more about our response here.

Ukraine Response

ADRA is working with our team in Ukraine to provide urgent humanitarian aid including water, food, shelter, blankets and clothing. We are also working with our ADRA teams in surrounding countries, including Poland, Romania and Hungary, as they respond to the needs of incoming refugees. According to the United Nations, at least 12 million people have fled their homes since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We are also responding to the recent flooding cause by damage to the Kakhovka Dam. You can find out more details of our response here.

Deadly disasters often strike without warning.

With a strong global presence in over 100 countries, ADRA is well-placed to help in times of need. When people need us, we’re already there.

Your gift to our Disaster Relief Fund helps us provide immediate disaster relief when disasters, like those listed above, strike. Your gift also helps to provide long-term recovery and disaster risk reduction activities in the aftermath.

ADRA’s purpose is deeply rooted in the principles of justice, compassion, and love. As such, ADRA helps people in need regardless of age, gender, ethnic background, and political or religious affiliation.

To support ADRA’s response in times of disasters, donate below.

Cover Image: ADRA Ukraine. ADRA members prepare to respond to the conflict in Ukraine.
Photo Gallery – Images from left:
ADRA Papua New Guinea. ADRA staff assess the damage after the 2024 landslide.
ADRA Romania. A convoy enters Ukraine to deliver supplies to internally displaced people.
ADRA Syria. Food distributions in Latakia following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.
ADRA Afghanistan: Consulting a local affected by the 6.3 magnitude earthquakes.
Donate Image: ADRA Syria. ADRA members assess the damage after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Türkiye

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