ABOUT ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization whose purpose is in  “serving humanity so that all may live as God intended”. ADRA Philippines belongs to the worldwide ADRA network that is present in 118 countries. ADRA Philippines has been in operation for 35 years to assist those affected by disasters and improve social development for vulnerable communities with families living in extreme poverty. ADRA Philippines is registered with the state Security and Exchange Commission and is licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 

Our History

1973 – ADRA was originally called Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service (SAWS). By the mid-1980s, the organization began to broaden its mission from disaster relief into programs leading to long-term development.

1983 – SAWS underwent a name and organizational change to better reflect its overall mission and activities, becoming the “Adventist Development and Relief Agency” (ADRA).

1985 – ADRA project started with “Philippine Refugee Processing Center” (PRPC) in Bataan, Feeding Program for the Refugees.

1987 – ADRA started the construction of the Palawan Adventist Hospital.

1990s – In the latter part of the 90’s, ADRA implemented a five year-project with the Manobos of Mindanao called HEAL (Health, Education, Agriculture and Literacy).

ADRA Philippines is part of an international network of independent ADRA country offices that operates in more than 120 countries around the world.

ADRA concentrates its efforts in community-based development activities and disaster preparedness, while also cooperating with other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations in fulfilling this goal. Community-based development includes

a wide range of activities leading to improved health, economic and social well-being, and self-reliance. Disaster preparedness activities include advocacy and training of local partners in disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparedness, as well as direct interventions in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation.

2000s – Recognized by the national government, ADRA Philippines has been given the “Gawad KALASAG” Award in 2007, 2008 and 2014. Gawad KALASAG (KALamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) was conceived to protect or shield high-risk communities against hazards by encouraging participation of various stakeholders in designing and implementing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programs. The award is a symbol of excellence and the objective is to put it in action.

2013 – In the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan disaster, ADRA Philippines assisted  211,425 individuals affected by the super typhoon with food, water, shelter, livelihood recovery, and trainings in disaster risk reduction programs. The effort has been funded by ADRA network and public and private donors worldwide amounting to US$ 8 million.

The agency holds a permanent diplomatic status with the Department of Foreign Affairs and is registered with the state Security and Exchange Commission and accredited by the Department of Social Warfare and Development.