ADRA is assisting survivors of recent devastating earthquakes in western Nepal. [Photo: ADRA International]

Humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has served the country for decades.

November 29, 2023 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | ADRA International, and Adventist Review

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has scaled up its National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP) to assist Nepali survivors affected by multiple powerful earthquakes that have struck the country since October 3.

Strong seismic activity has left a trail of devastation in the country, with the most recent quake, measuring 6.4 on November 3, hitting the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of the Karnali province. According to local authorities, the natural disaster killed more than 155 people, injured hundreds more and displaced over 10,000 people. Furthermore, nearly 45,000 structures and residences were destroyed or severely damaged.

ADRA trucks are delivering emergency kits to survivors. [Photo: ADRA International]

ADRA emergency response workers describe the scene on the ground when they arrived: “It was heartbreaking to see the devastation. Every other house is badly damaged, and people are still very worried and scared as earthquakes continue to occur here. Residents can no longer occupy their homes and are living outside in shelters made of whatever they can find. They were so pleased to receive the emergency shelter kits as any protection from the cold weather is essential during this difficult time.”

The international agency is now working with the local municipality to prioritize aid to assess the most affected and most vulnerable communities.

Assessment and emergency kits distribution is helping residents in western Nepal cope with the destruction in the aftermath of the October 3 earthquake. [Photo: ADRA International]
“ADRA’s disaster response team is focused on providing life-saving support, including emergency shelter kits and medical assistance. ADRA’s longstanding presence in Nepal and significant experience in disaster relief ensures a prompt and effective response to this emergency,” Elizabeth Tomenko, ADRA’s senior emergency program manager, said. “We are worried about the thousands of individual people and families who are still without a place to live as winter approaches. Ensuring people have access to emergency supplies to stay warm and well is ADRA’s primary objective. We plan to extend our support to the local government to provide winterization relief kits, medical supplies, and assistance to reconstruct damaged medical facilities.”

About ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving in 118 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the world by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.

The original version of this story was posted by ADRA International.