April 30, 2021 | St. John’s, Antigua | Kay White
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a humanitarian agency operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its purpose is to provide individual/community development and disaster relief. The recent volcanic crisis on St. Vincent and the Grenadines has caused an immediate activation, mobilization and response from the ADRA department of the South Leeward Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SLC).
ADRA, in collaboration with the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), on Antigua and Barbuda, has responded to the felt needs of the residents on St. Vincent and Grenadines, where 4,166 displaced families are presently being housed in 87 shelters. Through a relief drive, personal care items, emergency supplies, food and baby products were contributed by Seventh-day Adventist members, members of the public and the Antigua Seventh-day Adventist Primary School. The first container with relief supplies from Antigua left for St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday, April 20, 2021, and another is scheduled to leave at a subsequent date.
On the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, there were similar responses, as ADRA, in collaboration with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), made significant contributions. The Seventh-day Adventist congregations, individual members and members of the public donated these relief supplies. In addition to the relief supplies, each Seventh-day Adventist congregation within SLC is expected to make a financial contribution to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Conference has also contributed EC $15,000.00 to the relief effort.
The South Leeward Conference remains committed to ministering to the needs of residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the upcoming weeks and months. Indeed, God’s Church is leading the way, not just in the preaching of the gospel, but by ministering, where possible, to the felt needs.