ADRA Provides Aid to Communities in Russia

The Moscow Conference chapter of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), under the leadership of Pastor Igor Kirichenko, has been focused on helping the people of Donbass, Ukraine, in the last year. In the first months, cooperation with well-known public organizations developed: the Red Cross, the Doctor Lisa Foundation, Mosvolonter, and many others. Food, basic necessities, clothes, and shoes were purchased for them. And members of the Moscow communities—mainly Odintsovo and Kuntsevo—actively helped in packing and delivering aid. Fourteen projects were implemented, during which twelve tons of drinking water, one-and-a-half tons of food, a large amount of clothes, shoes, children's items, and much more were donated to those in need.

Over the past six months, ADRA employees have begun to interact with Adventist pastors in the Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics. On their territory, Adventist communities regularly implement the “Bread and Warmth from the Hands of Jesus” project, during which food packages and items are distributed to those in need in prayer houses and public places. Also, the members of the church living in this territory receive targeted assistance. First, applications are collected from those in need of items, electrical appliances, goods for children, and so on. And then ADRA employees buy it all, involving members of Moscow communities in participation.

At the end of last year, such applications were collected from the children of Luhansk Seventh-day Adventist communities. In them, the children wrote what they would like to receive as a gift for the new year. And these requests were passed on to several Moscow communities in which church members lined up ready to answer these requests.

In April 2023, ADRA employees once again left to transfer assistance to the communities of the Donetsk People's Republic. Before that, a special fundraiser was held in all communities of the Moscow Conference. Also, one of the Adventist entrepreneurs allocated more than ₽500,000 (approx. US$6,000) specifically for this trip. Food, clothing, bedding, and household appliances worth more than ₽1 million (approx. US$12,000) were purchased in accordance with applications previously received from Donetsk pastors. The transfer of this assistance took place in the city of Taganrog and became an experience of joint prayers, empathy, and gratitude. 

Thanks to this assistance, the communities were able to help church members and hold several charity events. Now ADRA Moscow is preparing for the implementation of the next similar project.

The original version of this story was posted on the Euro-Asia Division Russian-language news site.