Charles Sandefur, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International, is in Sri Lanka visiting sites affected by the devastating tsunami. Sandefur arrived with an airlift, provided by the humanitarian organization Heart to Heart International, that included 40 tons of medical supplies, water filtration systems, and drinking water to be distributed by ADRA.

“The magnitude of the disaster is like nothing I’ve seen,” said Sandefur, who got an aerial view of the destruction earlier this week during a helicopter flight over the affected areas. “The country is lush and beautiful, but there is a point where that beauty stops and devastation begins.”

Traveling with Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, Sandefur visited an ADRA-supported camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) near Ham Ban Tota. During the visit ADRA provided approximately 2,000 people with 20 pounds of rice, powdered milk, oil and fresh produce. Sandefur also visited a water treatment unit run by ADRA that daily provides 50,000 liters.

“I am incredibly pleased and proud of what our staff [is] doing here in Sri Lanka,” said Sandefur. “They are working with their hearts and souls to make a positive impact on those affected by this tragedy.”

Sandefur is scheduled to visit affected areas in Phuket, Thailand later this week.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.