ADRA’s Lifeline to Ukraine Turns 3

Agency reaches three years of support for millions.

March 5, 2025 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | ADRA International and Adventist Review

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) commemorates three years of unwavering humanitarian service to millions affected by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since the crisis began on February 24, 2022, ADRA has been at the forefront, providing essential lifesaving aid and offering hope to vulnerable populations both in Ukraine and in countries hosting refugees. Despite the immense challenges of armed conflict, displacement, and destruction, ADRA’s commitment to the people of Ukraine has remained resolute.

“Three years into the conflict Ukraine remains a country deeply scarred by war and displacement, but also one where resilience and hope are being restored every day,” says ADRA Ukraine’s country director Leonid Rutkovskyi. “Despite the challenges we face—fatigue, uncertainty, and the relentless pressure of working in difficult conditions—we continue to remain true to our mission of serving the most vulnerable.”

This past year marked more than 1,000 days of armed conflict in Ukraine. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the conflict has displaced 4 million people within Ukraine and forced more than 6.7 million to seek refuge in Europe and other countries. With more than 14.6 million people in need of humanitarian aid, ADRA has been focusing on providing essential support. This includes addressing the trauma experienced by displaced families through mental health services, offering safe refuge with temporary housing solutions, and helping them rebuild their homes.

Ukrainians Share Their Gratitude

“At 5:00 in the morning a missile hit a house in our city,” recalls Volodumyr, who was forced to flee his home and seek refuge in an ADRA shelter. “Everything is fine here. We are treated with kindness and sensitivity.”

Natalya Tsurypovych from the Zaporizhzhia region describes the terrifying moments when the fighting began: “When the shelling started, it was very loud. We lived in a basement with no light or water.” Today she is deeply grateful for the ADRA shelter where she and her family have found safety.

“Thanks to the ADRA network project, windows and doors have been replaced,” Lyudmila explains, reflecting on how ADRA helped rebuild her home after a shell blast destroyed much of it.

A Lifeline for Millions

Since the conflict began, ADRA’s global network of emergency response teams, Adventist Church volunteers, and international partners has mobilized resources to support millions of children, women, families, and individuals displaced from their homes. These numbers go beyond statistics—they represent lives profoundly touched by ADRA’s ongoing presence, offering hope and a pathway to a brighter future amid the crisis.

ADRA’s significant impact includes 3.5 million beneficiaries supported across Ukraine and 18 European nations, 53 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members deployed within hours of the conflict’s eruption, and 58 emergency deployments to assist the most affected areas. It also includes 98 lifesaving projects executed to support Ukrainians within the country and across European nations hosting refugees, more than 121,000 individuals evacuated from danger zones, and 2.6 million people who received food aid.

According to ADRA figures, 70,000 individuals were offered protection and safety, 75,000 displaced Ukrainians were placed in emergency shelters, and 84,000 individuals received critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources. Also, US$53 million have been contributed to humanitarian aid since 2022, supporting both emergency response operations and long-term development projects. Finally, 270 dedicated team members in Ukraine are working under extraordinary conditions to deliver essential aid while maintaining the safety and dignity of those they serve.

ADRA’s Expansive Network of Support

This monumental effort would not be possible without the continued collaboration and support of ADRA’s global network. ADRA International, and country offices, including ADRA Romania, ADRA Poland, ADRA Slovakia, ADRA Czech Republic, ADRA Denmark, ADRA Japan, ADRA Australia, ADRA Canada, and ADRA Germany, have played essential roles in providing on-the-ground assistance and financial resources. Their collective efforts ensure that resources are consistently mobilized, enabling emergency response operations to reach those most in need, even in the most remote and conflict-affected regions.

“ADRA Ukraine develops its strategy based on the real needs of Ukrainians affected by the war,” says Serhii Nykyforov, ADRA Ukraine’s director of development and partnerships. “We aim to ensure that humanitarian projects not only meet people’s basic needs but also contribute to improving the quality of life in Ukraine. We want to make our country more comfortable and safer for everyone.”The Power of Wholistic Support

ADRA’s work in Ukraine is multifaceted, focusing on urgent humanitarian relief and long-term recovery. Some of the core programs making a life-changing impact include mental health and psychosocial support. These are psychosocial programs to help children, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and veterans cope with the trauma of armed conflict. From art therapy workshops to individual counseling, ADRA has created safe spaces for healing.

The agency also provides emergency shelter and winterization. As millions face displacement, ADRA provides temporary shelter and winterization kits to protect individuals and families from harsh conditions, giving them the tools to survive and rebuild their lives. Also, ADRA’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs have reached more than 250,000 people, providing water treatment plants, water towers, and sanitation solutions to crisis-affected communities.

ADRA has also distributed food vouchers, nutrition kits, and microgrant programs to revive local economies and empower communities to rebuild. The agency has also provided health and medical care. It has launched an online health platform, connecting Ukrainians with medical professionals and providing lifesaving medical services to tens of thousands. Finally, the agency has been instrumental in restoring critical infrastructure, such as schools and shelters.

A Call to Action

ADRA is profoundly grateful for the incredible commitment and generosity of its donors, whose unwavering support has made all the difference in the lives of countless Ukrainians during the past three years. These contributions have provided families with shelter, food, and the opportunity to heal from the trauma caused by the conflict. However, Ukraine’s road to recovery is still long, and the need for support remains urgent. With government aid suspended, the demand for continued assistance has never been greater. ADRA remains committed to staying the course, but it can do so only with continued support from donors.

About ADRA

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so that all may live as God intended.

The original version of this story was posted by ADRA International.