An explosion that destroyed a building in downtown Kabul Aug. 29, killing at least seven people, also damaged the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Afghanistan and injured an ADRA staff member.

“The windows and doors of two ADRA buildings have been damaged by the blast,” stated Dr. Peter Jaggi, country director for ADRA Afghanistan. “Debris from the car bomb is in our yard, and our office and apartment are full of glass splinters,” Jaggi noted. Fortunately only one staff member sustained what were called “minor” injuries, he said.

The blast occurred outside the offices of a United States-based contractor that had been working with the Afghan security services. It is speculated that the blast may have been timed to disrupt Afghanistan’s anticipated Oct. 9 presidential elections.

ADRA’s recent projects in Afghanistan include water, hygiene and basic health initiatives. ADRA also completed an education project that rehabilitated a school and provided desks, chairs, sports and playground equipment, water wells, and glass for classroom windows. 

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.