According to the report, the relief organization was active in 31 countries with 73 projects over the past year. With nearly 20.5 million euros, help was provided to more than 2.6 million people. ADRA consistently advocated for climate justice and promoted projects based on the principle of helping people help themselves. Development education and political engagement were further key areas of focus, according to the press release by Andreas Lerg, press spokesperson for ADRA Germany. With the 2025 Annual Report, ADRA Germany e.V. takes stock of a year in which humanitarian aid and development cooperation had to be defended as indispensable pillars of international solidarity. The report offers a comprehensive overview of achievements in project work, social and political commitment to the most vulnerable, and the strategic development of the organization.
Humanitarian Aid in Times of Extreme Crises
2025 was marked by several dramatic emergencies. In August, following a powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan, ADRA provided vital food supplies to over 1,100 families. In Ukraine, the organization expanded its assistance in response to intensified attacks on infrastructure, ensuring access to heating and water while offering psychosocial support. In the Gaza Strip and Yemen, ADRA delivered life-saving aid through food parcels, winter relief, and the strengthening of health services. In Syria, the reconstruction of schools and water supply networks successfully continued following the 2023 earthquakes.
Sustainability and Climate Resilience
A key focus of development cooperation in 2025 was sustainability and climate resilience. While in Mozambique, ADRA linked the protection of mangrove forests with ecological agriculture and early warning systems. The organization also promoted green growth in Somalia, Tanzania, and Mongolia through vocational training in renewable energies and the expansion of organic farming. Concurrently, projects in Fiji and the Philippines strengthened resilience against natural disasters through anticipatory action and the involvement of local organizations in disaster preparedness.
Protection and Empowerment of Particularly Vulnerable Groups
Another focus was placed on the protection and empowerment of particularly vulnerable groups: for instance, a program that protects girls and young women in Thailand from human trafficking and exploitation. This project was additionally supported by the nationwide fundraising campaign. In Germany, ADRA continues to provide aid for reconstruction following the 2021 flood disaster.
Political Engagement
In 2025, ADRA further intensified its advocacy for climate justice. This included participating in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, to bring the voices of the Global South into international climate finance processes.
Development Education
A special milestone in 2025 was the launch of the South-North component of the ADRAlive!voluntary service. While young people from Germany have been completing a voluntary social year abroad for many years, in the summer of 2025, ADRA was able to welcome young people from Mozambique for a voluntary year in Germany for the first time.
25 Years of the "Children Help Children" Initiative ("Aktion Kinder helfen Kindern!")
A joyful highlight of the year was the 25th anniversary of the Children Help Children initiative. With a record number of 27,130 Christmas packages, children and families in Germany set an impressive example of charity for children in Eastern Europe. This year, the campaign is taking a "creative break" (see APD report from March 23).
Matching Funds: Small Amounts with Great Impact
ADRA Germany e.V. was able to implement many projects only thanks to private donations and the so-called "donation multiplication" (matching funds). Institutional donors such as the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) or the EU top up every private donation by several times its value. Through this leverage effect, small amounts turn into large-scale relief projects that bring about sustainable change.
Quality, Transparency, and Partnership
ADRA is committed to the highest standards of quality and transparency. The organization holds the DZI Donation Seal and is a member of the German Council of Donation Organizations (Deutscher Spendenrat). All projects are evaluated according to international standards and reviewed for their impact. Strong partnerships with local organizations and the involvement of those affected on the ground make the aid particularly effective and sustainable.
Gratitude to Supporters and Partners
ADRA Germany e.V. thanks all donors, partners, supporters, and the numerous volunteers whose commitment made this successful work in 2025 possible in the first place. Cooperation with local and international partners is an essential component of ADRA's work and contributes significantly to the successful realization of its projects.
The annual report can be found on the website https://adra.de/publikationen. In addition to the annual report as a downloadable PDF, other publications from ADRA Germany e.V. are also available on the site.
About ADRA Germany e.V.
ADRA Germany e.V., based in Weiterstadt near Darmstadt, was founded in 1987, employs 61 people, and is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is part of the global ADRA network, founded in 1956, which consists of 119 independent national offices and conducts worldwide development cooperation projects along with providing humanitarian disaster relief. ADRA stands for “Adventist Development and Relief Agency”. ADRA Germany is, among other things, a founding member of the Association of German Development and Humanitarian Aid NGOs (VENRO), "Aktion Deutschland Hilft", and "Gemeinsam für Afrika". Information: https://adra.de.
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