The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) commemorates three years of humanitarian service to millions affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since the crisis began on February 24, 2022, ADRA has been at the forefront, providing essential life-saving aid and offering hope to vulnerable populations both in Ukraine and in countries hosting refugees. Despite the immense challenges of armed conflict, displacement, and destruction, ADRA’s commitment to the people of Ukraine has remained resolute.

“Three years into the conflict, Ukraine remains a country deeply scarred by war and displacement, but also one where resilience and hope are being restored every day,” says ADRA Ukraine’s Country Director Leonid Rutkovskyi. “Despite the challenges we face—fatigue, uncertainty, and the relentless pressure of working in difficult conditions—we continue to remain true to our mission of serving the most vulnerable.”

This past year marked over 1,000 days of armed conflict in Ukraine. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the conflict has displaced 4 million people within Ukraine and forced more than 6.7 million to seek refuge in Europe and other countries. With over 14.6 million people in need of humanitarian aid, ADRA has been focusing on providing essential support. This includes addressing the trauma experienced by displaced families through mental health services, offering safe refuge with temporary housing solutions, and helping them rebuild their homes.

Ukrainians Share Their Gratitude

“At five in the morning, a missile hit a house in our city,” recalls Volodumyr, who was forced to flee his home and seek refuge in an ADRA shelter. “Everything is fine here. We are treated with kindness and sensitivity.”

Natalya Tsurypovych from the Zaporizhzhia region describes the terrifying moments when the fighting began: “When the shelling started, it was very loud. We lived in a basement with no light or water.”

Today, she is deeply grateful for the ADRA shelter where she and her family have found safety.

“Thanks to the ADRA Network project, windows and doors have been replaced,” Lyudmila explains, reflecting on how ADRA helped rebuild her home after a shell blast destroyed much of it

ADRA’s Impact: A Lifeline for Millions

Since the conflict began, ADRA’s global network of emergency response teams, Adventist Church volunteers, and international partners has mobilized resources to support millions of children, women, families, and individuals displaced from their homes. These numbers go beyond statistics. They represent lives profoundly touched by ADRA’s ongoing presence, offering hope and a pathway to a brighter future amid the crisis.

ADRA’s significant impact includes:

• 3.5 million beneficiaries supported across Ukraine and 18 European nations.

• 53 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members deployed within hours of the conflict’s eruption, providing urgent relief in the early months.

• 58 emergency deployments to assist the most affected areas.

• 98 life-saving projects executed to support Ukrainians within the country and across European nations hosting refugees.

• 121,000+ individuals evacuated from danger zones.

• 2.6 million people received food aid.

• 70,000 individuals offered protection and safety.

• 75,000 displaced Ukrainians were placed in emergency shelters.

• 84,000 individuals received critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources.

• $53 million contributed to humanitarian aid since 2022, supporting both emergency response operations and long-term development projects.

• 270 dedicated team members in Ukraine, working under extraordinary conditions to deliver essential aid while maintaining the safety and dignity of those they serve.

ADRA’s Expansive Network of Support

This monumental effort would not be possible without the continued collaboration and support of ADRA’s global network. ADRA International, along with country offices including ADRA Romania, ADRA Poland, ADRA Slovakia, ADRA Czech Republic, ADRA Denmark, ADRA Japan, ADRA Australia, ADRA Canada, and ADRA Germany, have played essential roles in providing on-the-ground assistance and financial resources. Their collective efforts ensure that resources are consistently mobilized, enabling emergency response operations to reach those most in need, even in the most remote and conflict-affected regions.

“ADRA Ukraine develops its strategy based on the real needs of Ukrainians affected by the war,” says ADRA Ukraine’s Director of Development and Partnerships, Serhii Nykyforov. “We aim to ensure that humanitarian projects not only meet people’s basic needs but also contribute to improving the quality of life in Ukraine. We want to make our country more comfortable and safer for everyone.”

The Power of Holistic Support

ADRA’s work in Ukraine is multi-faceted, focusing on urgent humanitarian relief and long-term recovery. Some of the core programs making a life-changing impact include:

• Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): ADRA provides psychosocial programs to help children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and veterans cope with the trauma of armed conflict. From art therapy workshops to individual counseling, ADRA has created safe spaces for healing.

• Emergency Shelter & Winterization: As millions face displacement, ADRA provides temporary shelter and winterization kits to protect individuals and families from harsh conditions, giving them the tools to survive and rebuild their lives.

• Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): ADRA’s WASH programs have reached over 250,000 people, providing water treatment plants, water towers, and sanitation solutions to crisis-affected communities.

• Food Security & Economic Recovery: ADRA has distributed food vouchers, nutrition kits, and micro-grant programs to revive local economies and empower communities to rebuild.

• Health & Medical Care: ADRA has launched an online health platform, connecting Ukrainians with medical professionals, and providing life-saving medical services to tens of thousands.

• Rebuilding Communities: ADRA has been instrumental in restoring critical infrastructure, like schools and shelters, with efforts like the Reconstruction of Social Infrastructure in Mykolaiv (RSIM) project in partnership with ADRA Denmark and DanChurchAid (DCA).

  

  Photo: ADRA

  

  Photo: ADRA

  

  Photo: ADRA

A Call to Action: The Need for Continued Support

ADRA is profoundly grateful for the incredible commitment and generosity of its donors, whose unwavering support has made all the difference in the lives of countless Ukrainians over the past three years. These contributions have provided families with shelter, food, and the opportunity to heal from the trauma caused by the conflict. However, Ukraine’s road to recovery is still long, and the need for support remains urgent. With government aid suspended, the demand for continued assistance has never been greater. ADRA remains committed to staying the course, but it can only do so with continued support from donors like you.

Partner with ADRA to ensure that the millions still affected by this crisis have the resources to survive, rebuild, and thrive. Donate here today. Stand with Ukraine. Rebuild hope!

About ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended.

The original article was published on the ADRA International news site.