From July 9-16, 2026, an international training meeting of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, bringing together employees of the organization's national offices from 15 countries. The main goal of the program was to strengthen the professional readiness of teams that need to make responsible decisions and organize assistance to people in difficult crisis circumstances.

The training course included two main areas. The first block was devoted to the protection of participants in humanitarian programs from violence, exploitation, and various forms of abuse. Employees studied mechanisms for preventing violations, the procedure for handling complaints, confidentiality principles, and ways to support people who have faced inappropriate treatment.

The second block considered the organization of humanitarian response in emergency situations. Participants mastered the methods of initial needs assessment, budget planning, building communication, distributing monetary and material resources, and providing psychological support to victims. Particular attention was devoted to organizing the work so that assistance was timely, appropriately targeted, and aligned with the actual needs of the people it served.

The organizers devoted a significant portion of the program to practical training. For four days, participants performed situational exercises that simulated the work of a humanitarian team in a real crisis. The training scenarios required quick analysis of incoming information, prioritization, distribution of areas of responsibility, decision-making in a limited time, and coordination of actions of different specialists. This form of training allowed participants not only to consolidate theoretical knowledge but also see how the effectiveness of the humanitarian operation depends on a pre-built system of interaction. Practical tasks helped to identify vulnerabilities in response to crisis situations in a safe learning environment and find ways to eliminate them.

Each day began with a joint spiritual reflection that reminded the participants that the professional tools, instructions, and procedures in ADRA are linked to its values – compassion, service to people, and respect for the dignity of each person. Behind statistics, budgets, and response plans, there are always specific people and the fates of those who are in trouble.

An important component of the program was a discussion on professional communication between representatives of different countries. Employees discussed implemented projects, analyzed non-standard situations, compared approaches to humanitarian work, and got acquainted with the practice of colleagues operating in various social, cultural, and political conditions. Participants will be able to adapt the received training materials for national teams, local partners, and volunteers.

Alexander Leukhin, head of the ADRA Euro-Asia Division and one of the organizers of the meeting, noted that in the context of the growing number of emergencies and ongoing armed conflicts, the training of specialists is becoming an obligatory part of humanitarian work.

"Today, there is a particularly acute need for teams that are able to act competently in emergency situations and support people in difficult circumstances. ADRA employees need to constantly improve their skills, since the well-being of many people sometimes depends on their knowledge, solutions, and ability to interact," he said.

According to Leukhin, the professionalism of the humanitarian organization is manifested not only in the speed of arrival at the disaster site, but also in the quality of all subsequent work, including assessing needs, interacting with government agencies, transparent use of resources, and showing a respectful attitude towards beneficiaries.

"In the areas affected by emergencies, we have been told more than once, 'ADRA came to the rescue first!' It is important not just to start the work quickly, but to organize it so that each step is justified and the assistance really meets the needs of the victims."

The training in Bishkek was part of a consistent effort to strengthen ADRA's uniform professional standards. Participants had the opportunity to compare the practices of their national offices with international approaches and identify areas where it is necessary to further develop employees' competencies.

Denis Baratov, the head of ADRA Middle East and North Africa (MENA), who previously headed the ADRA Euro-Asian Division, paid special attention to the development of a national emergency response plan. Such a document defines in advance the order of actions of the team in the first 24-48 hours after a disaster. The MENA region is characterized by protracted armed conflicts, massive population displacement, destroyed infrastructure, and limited access to education, health care, and other vital services. Therefore, ADRA not only provides emergency support, but also rebuilds schools and hospitals, helps children continue their education, and helps adults regain their sources of income, all while taking into account the cultural and religious characteristics of each country.

Vladimir Mikhailov, director of ADRA Kazakhstan, said the materials of the meeting in Bishkek will be used to prepare staff and volunteers for emergencies. Of particular importance is the early distribution of responsibility for communications, transport, food, accommodation of victims, and the issuance of assistance, taking into account the risks of a particular area.

Since the permanent ADRA team in Kazakhstan consists of only a few employees, the organization brings together dozens of volunteers, representatives of church communities, partners, and specialists to help with crises. Along with emergency response, ADRA develops long-term programs for people with disabilities, children with special needs, and low-income families. Cooperation with local communities, open reporting, and the trust of sponsors play an important role in this work.

After completing the training meeting, participants will continue to train staff and volunteers in their countries. The main outcome of the meeting should be not only new materials and professional contacts, but also more sustainable response systems where employees know their responsibilities in advance, partners understand how to work together, and volunteers have basic training.

The original article was published on the Euro-Asia Division Russian news site.