On May 30, around 5 a.m., a humanitarian aid warehouse of ADRA Ukraine in the city of Izium, Kharkiv region, was damaged as a result of a nighttime attack. A kamikaze combat drone struck the warehouse where food parcels from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) were stored.

At the time of the attack, the warehouse contained 4,906 food parcels. The drone hit the wall of the building, causing a fire that destroyed a large portion of the humanitarian cargo. In addition, ADRA Ukraine's cargo trucks parked on the premises were damaged. Only one security guard was present at the warehouse during the strike — he was unharmed.

Thanks to the prompt response of firefighters, the fire was extinguished. A final assessment of the extent of the damage will be carried out by a commission from the United Nations World Food Program.

ADRA's Work in Ukraine

Despite ongoing risks, ADRA Ukraine continues to provide vital humanitarian assistance across the country. Over the past three years, ADRA has supported more than 3.5 million people in Ukraine and 18 European nations, delivering food, shelter, mental health services, and water and sanitation support. The organization has executed 98 life-saving projects, evacuated over 121,000 individuals from danger zones, and provided food aid to 2.6 million people. ADRA's efforts are led by a dedicated team of 270 staff members and numerous volunteers.

In addition to emergency relief, ADRA Ukraine focuses on long-term recovery initiatives. The organization supports shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in cities like Dnipro, Lviv, and Chernivtsi, providing residents with food, utilities, and psychological assistance. Since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, over 3,000 people have benefited from these services. ADRA has also installed water purification stations in schools and hospitals in Mykolaiv Oblast, ensuring students, teachers, and patients access to clean drinking water.

Recognizing its impactful work, ADRA Ukraine was ranked 12th among the top 100 charitable organizations in Ukraine for activities conducted in 2023. The ranking considered factors such as the amount of funds used for charitable programs and the transparency of operations. Furthermore, ADRA Ukraine received the "People's Charity 2023" award, securing first place in a national competition that acknowledges effective socially oriented charities.

About ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, operating in over 120 countries. ADRA is committed to serving humanity so all may live as God intended, providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious affiliation. Through its extensive network, ADRA empowers communities and changes lives around the globe.

This article was provided by the Ukrainian Union Conference. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.