The Nigerian government commended the Adventist Church in January, referring specifically to its “humanitarian, medical and academic contributions to the nation.” Nigeria vice-president, Alhadji Muhammed Atiku, said that the government had “observed with keen interest the positive contribution of the church since 1914 when Pastor Babcock brought the Adventist message to Nigeria.”

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) continued to be involved with a miriad of humanitarian projects around the world. In March it helped thousands of people and livestock in the areas of Mongolia that were affected by unusually severe snowfall. ADRA also carried out a two-month emergency relief program during the summer for the thousands of flood victims in West Timor. In June, ADRA received the Order of Merit for rural development award from the country of Burkina Faso.

The International Behavioral Health Trauma Team (IBHTT), formed at the church’s Loma Linda University and Medical Center, was established to respond to worldwide crises and make a practical contribution to the humanitarian, educational, and health development needs which the Adventist Church sees as vital to its world ministry.