In the recent months, we all have been overwhelmed by what is happening around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many things we do not know and uncertainty weighs on us all, but the whole ADRA family is working to provide essential services to those in need, continuing the mission we promised not to abandon.
In the 18th week of implementation of the COVID-19 “Humanitarian Support” project, the ADRA team reached 2,788 people including: 724 single elderly people with acute subsistence needs; 95 children from disadvantaged backgrounds, but who have exceptional academic results; 1,945 adults fighting to ensure decent living conditions; 20 immigrants; and 4 victims of domestic violence.
Therefore, in the week of July 5-17, 2020, alone, the ADRA project “Humanitarian Support COVID-19” deployed their specialized services adapted to the specific needs caused or highlighted by the COVID-19 context for 2,788 individuals: 2,592 beneficiaries received basic food for a decent living, of which 75 people received a hot meal, daily, at home; 20 beneficiaries received food and hygiene products, medicines, or protective equipment for crisis; 150 newborns received help, according to their needs; 17 people received help, through shelter provided; 9 people benefited from social assistance and psychological crisis counselling.
The humanitarian help offered by ADRA Romania consists of information, awareness, counselling, and distribution of food and hygiene products. The services and products were provided by the qualified personnel of the ADRA team who acted in accordance with the security and safety policies and rules imposed by current laws of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Strategic Communication Group, the Health Ministry, and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU). This is achieved in partnership with local authorities and accredited institutions. Some specialized services have been outsourced.
"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Emergency Reception Centre for Victims of Domestic Violence – Casa ADRA, we have tried to prevent infection through training and hygienic-sanitary measures,” explained George Mitroi, social worker at ADRA Romania.
“We managed to limit the travel of the beneficiaries and, where there were emergencies or [need] for procurement of food, we accompanied them with the institution's car, precisely to avoid traveling by [overcrowded] public transport. We still believe that God will have mercy on us!”
“There is so much spirit of sacrifice, solidarity, desire to get involved as a volunteer, taking care, making new friends, and ... spreading much love!”, so Mihai Brașov, assistant volunteers manager and project coordinator of "Hope for Immigrants - ADRA Romania.
Since 1990, ADRA Romania has been involved in special projects to provide care for the beneficiaries in the whole country. Leading its projects under the motto "Justice. Compassion. Love.”, ADRA Romania brings joy and hope to the elderly beneficiaries, projects through which a better value and human dignity are promoted in the future. As a provider of accredited social services, ADRA Romania is a part of the ADRA International network, the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of the most widespread non-governmental organizations in the world. The network is active in more than 130 countries and their activities are implemented under the philosophy that caring combines compassion with the practical spirit, addressing people in need, without considering a particular race, ethnicity, political orientation, or religion, just to provide a human service so that the world can coexist as planned.
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