OUR HISTORY

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that demonstrates God's love and compassion. ADRA is a professional, learning, and efficient network that embodies integrity and transparency. ADRA reaches across boundaries empowering and speaking out for the at-risk and forgotten to achieve measurable, documented, and durable changes in lives and society.

​

During the liberation war in 1971 that ended with millions of people died, homes being destroyed, industries were shut down, and the communication system was severely damaged. Moreover, more than 10 million Bangladeshi's fled to India as refugees. In addition, recurring natural disasters like floods and cyclones crippled the country's capacity for crop production. The country was completely devastated. Thus, the newly formed government welcomed foreign aid. In 1971, ADRA Bangladesh started its operation. Its initial activities centered on relief and rehabilitation by rebuilding villages, roads, and bridges.

​

The primary thrust of ADRA Bangladesh has been to provide tools to our less fortunate partners, mainly in rural areas, enabling them to be self-reliant. Currently, ADRA has been implementing projects like Economic and Livelihood Development, Water and Sanitation Support Projects, Literacy Projects for Slum Children, and Disaster Response. ADRA Bangladesh has a preapproved NEPRP (National Emergency Preparedness Response Plan) and can activate it if the requirements are met.

​

ADRA Bangladesh is a Non-Government Organization registered with the Government of Bangladesh and with the Ministry of Social Welfare. We are relatively small to a medium size organization with a reputation for being excellent in what we do.