
ADRA Inter-American Division
By David Poloche, and Idida Zoelis Casado
David Poloche, M.S.A. (Andrews University), is ADRA director for the Inter-American Division since 2015. He began his ministry in 1972 as the accountant for West Venezuela Mission in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Later, he served at the Venezuela Vocational Institute in numerous positions before becoming its treasurer. After that, he was appointed secretary/treasurer of East Venezuela Mission. In 1996, he was elected treasurer of Venezuela Antilles Union Mission. He is married to Hedilma Rivero and has three children and six grandchildren.
Idida Zoelis Casado Costa, B.A. (La Sierra University, Riverside, CA), is a freelance editor and copyeditor who writes and edits memoirs. She has been published in Guide magazine.
First Published: April 9, 2025
The Inter-American Division (IAD) operates an Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in support of ADRA International located at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists which delivers “relief and development assistance to individuals in more than 120 countries” around the world.1
In the IAD, regional ADRA offices are established and managed by the IAD unions. The IAD territories with established ADRA offices are the Bahamas, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Organization
The Seventh-day Adventist World Service, Inc. (SAWS, now ADRA International), has been active in the IAD territory due to its many natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Following Hurricane David of August 1979, due to the noticeably increased activity of SAWS throughout the IAD territory, a vote was taken by the IAD Board of Directors to establish a new SAWS policy within the Inter-American Division in which:
Unions of the Inter-American Division and conferences/missions are encouraged to establish SAWS organizations, patterned after the General Conference and Division SAWS organizations, to coordinate the SAWS programs in their respective territories.2
Immediately, a SAWS IAD main office and several regional offices were established in the IAD territory. After two strong earthquakes struck central and south Colombia on November 22 and December 12, 1979, the local SAWS office sent seven people by boat with supplies to the affected areas. The “Red Cross and local authorities gave information as to where the supplies were most needed” and “public health, civil defense, mayors, and police all gave the SAWS team their cooperation.”3
As regional SAWS offices grew in number throughout the IAD territory, they worked faster to respond to natural disasters in their own territories. In the downtime, they established developmental programs in response to their communities’ needs.
In 1985, SAWS IAD changed its name to ADRA IAD in compliance with the General Conference’s SAWS office which had changed its name to ADRA International. Consequently, all IAD regional SAWS offices in the various countries of the IAD territory changed their names to ADRA.
History
With ADRA regional offices established throughout the IAD territory, ADRA was able to offer quicker assistance and specialized relief and aid from catastrophic natural disasters and poverty in the IAD territory. The regional ADRA office would first send supplies and finances, with assistance from ADRA IAD, to the section of its territory in need. Later, they would provide more specialized relief efforts such as building or rebuilding houses and homes, offering health- and nutrition-related classes, and helping in the construction of new facilities. Outside of disasters, they would also specifically focus on certain groups of people such as the handicapped or war victims. On occasion, IAD administrators and the ADRA IAD director participated in events where local government officials honored and recognized the efforts made by regional ADRA offices in the IAD territory.
In 1991, ADRA International and ADRA IAD held a very informative workshop in Puerto Rico for all administrators of ADRA offices in the IAD territory to study ways and methods of working with other relief agencies to respond quickly and effectively to the natural disasters that were ever present in the IAD territory.4
Beyond relief efforts in response to natural disasters, the ADRA IAD office also worked on certain types of developmental projects alongside other entities. In 1991, they gained the assistance of ADRA Canada in “a Pit Latrine Construction Project for the Carib Indians of Dominica” in order to build 104 pit latrines in the Carib Reserve and to teach health education.5 Also in 1991, ADRA Canada and ADRA IAD assisted with finances for the construction and inauguration of the “Agriculture Machinery Laboratory” of the Dominican Adventist University.6 In 1992, ADRA Costa Rica organized Adventist Rescue Units to work under the Civil Defense Committee and coordinate with entities such as the Red Cross, firefighters, and others.7
In 2002, an agreement was reached by ADRA IAD with Loma Linda University to offer crisis counseling for victims of natural disasters.8 In 2003, when ADRA Guatemala won the Orden de Alfabetización award for its literacy program, ADRA IAD Director Wally Amundson spoke about how ADRA IAD “has been involved in strong literacy programs throughout the IAD territory” and said: “ADRA is focusing not only in the community but the church members as well, as a group so that our members do not remain illiterate. In organizing this program, we’re bringing the community and church together.”9
In May 2004, a low-pressure area caused rain and thunderstorms over most of the Greater Antilles with the Dominican Republic and Haiti getting raging floods that “left nearly 2,000 people dead or missing, destroyed crops, decimated livestock, and cut off roads and electricity.”10 In response, ADRA IAD and Loma Linda University’s International Behavioral Health Trauma Team went to the Dominican Republic and Haiti to assist with food, clothes, medications, and trauma response/psychological relief. They also trained local medical professionals and volunteers to aid disaster victims.
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. Over 220,000 people lost their lives, and about three million people were affected.11 Wally Amundson, IAD ADRA director, traveled to Haiti with a special assessment team of eight people who would meet with four experts in disaster response and post-trauma counseling in the Dominican Republic to respond to the needs in Haiti. They were joined by a Canadian group who were providing medical aid in mobile clinics as well as by teams from other non-governmental organizations. ADRA IAD and ADRA International established a communications center and water distribution systems in Port-au-Prince by January 17, 2010. ADRA moved quickly to establish water purification systems, distribute food and supplies, and oversee the refugees on campus as both the Adventist hospital and the Adventist university in Haiti served as places of refuge for those affected by the earthquake.12
On December 1, 2015, an award ceremony was held in Colombia. House Representative Hernan Sinisterra Valencia presented the Order of Democracy of Simon Bolivar, which consisted of a medal and a certificate, to ADRA Colombia National Director Gabriel Villarreal, who accepted it on behalf of ADRA Colombia. During this ceremony, ADRA Colombia’s heroic work during the November 1985 volcanic mudslides which claimed the lives of over 23,000 people was highlighted. ADRA IAD Director Wally Amundson stated: “Colombia is a very special country with many different challenges, and the fact that ADRA and its volunteers and professionals are always ready to respond to any situation is something that calls the attention of the government.”13
From 2016 on, ADRA IAD’s involvement has been to provide support for ADRA relief efforts and projects in the IAD territory, collaborating with regional ADRA offices and ADRA International.
Caribbean
In 2017, ADRA Caribbean (with ADRA offices in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago) worked with ADRA IAD and ADRA International to make the appropriate preparations before Hurricane Irma hit dozens of Caribbean islands. Thanks to this, an ADRA Emergency Response Team of trained experts from ADRA IAD, ADRA South America, ADRA Caribbean, and ADRA International was prepared to coordinate relief efforts and provide water, food, blankets, and tarps to those affected.14 The ADRA Emergency Response Team would again be dispatched in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl of 2024 having received funds from ADRA IAD and ADRA International.
Colombia
In 2017, ADRA Colombia gave assistance to the victims of the devastating landslides in Mocoa, Putumayo, Colombia, that started around 3 am on April 1. Over 300 people died in this disaster.15 ADRA International and ADRA IAD immediately released funds in an effort to assist after the first hours of the tragedy. In 2021, ADRA IAD financially contributed to an ADRA Colombia initiative to distribute hygiene kits to 1,100 Venezuelan migrant families in Arauquita, Colombia.16
Costa Rica
In 2017, ADRA Costa Rica received funds from ADRA IAD in response to Tropical Storm Nate which “took the life of more than two dozen people” brought flooding rain resulting in mudslides. ADRA Costa Rica “distributed water and food in several communities, thanks to funds released by ADRA Inter-America,” according to the director of ADRA Costa Rica.17
El Salvador
Since 2002, ADRA El Salvador has conducted an ongoing annual literacy program in partnership with the Ministry of Education of El Salvador. This program had 521 graduates on January 21, 2023, adding to the thousands who have completed the program. The ADRA IAD director commended the ADRA El Salvador administrators in charge of the long-standing project that has transformed the lives of thousands of people since its inception.18
Guatemala
In 2018, Guatemala experienced a deadly eruption of its Volcán de Fuego. ADRA Guatemala’s team immediately went to the affected villages along with local authorities to encourage people to abandon their homes and go to safe shelters. Some complied, but others were afraid to leave and lose their belongings. Funds from ADRA IAD were sent to assist the families who were affected.19 Volcán de Fuego “erupted, killing 201 people, injuring 27, and leaving some 260 people missing. …According to Guatemalan authorities, 12,823 people were evacuated from the affected area, of whom 1,398 remain in collective centres.”20
Haiti
In 2023, ADRA Haiti secured funds from ADRA IAD to provide hygiene kits for those who were affected by the floods in Carrefour, Ouest department. The torrential rains, brought about the strongest floods the country had ever seen according to government officials, resulted in “51 deaths, almost 2,500 homes destroyed, and more than 39,000 homes flooded.”21 In 2024, ADRA International and ADRA IAD provided educational programs and supplies for children in several Haitian communities.
Honduras
In 2020, ADRA Honduras received funds from ADRA IAD and ADRA International to assist 1,500 families that were affected by landslides, overflowing rivers, and floods caused by Hurricane Eta. ADRA Honduras provided food, hygiene kits, and basic daily necessities. In 2022, ADRA Honduras assisted 950 migrant families with the financial support of ADRA International and ADRA IAD.
Jamaica
In 2007, ADRA Jamaica held a seminar conducted by ADRA International, ADRA IAD, and the local Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management in Jamaica. This seminar provided its participants with information to prepare for natural disasters by preventing failure, containing chaos, using available resources, and responding quickly to emergencies.22 More recently, ADRA Jamaica in collaboration with ADRA IAD and the Jamaica Union Conference provided relief to those affected by Hurricane Beryl, “which battered the island’s south coast on July 3, 2024. The food package distribution initiative is valued at US$20,000.”23
Mexico
In 2017, ADRA Mexico, ADRA IAD, and ADRA International pooled together funds for relief efforts after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit the southern coast of Mexico. ADRA Mexico worked directly with entities at the local, state, and federal levels to distribute goods to over 4,000 households covering over 20,000 people in Chiapas and Oaxaca. On October 25, 2023, Category 5 Hurricane Otis hit Mexico, leaving over one million in need of humanitarian aid. ADRA International and ADRA IAD provided funds to assist those in Acapulco who were affected by the hurricane. “ADRA mobilized rapidly within hours of the crisis to aid over 3,000 people. The global agency supplied free satellite internet services and immediate cash assistance to afflicted families living in extreme poverty.”24
Puerto Rico
In 2017, ADRA Puerto Rico, ADRA IAD, and ADRA International provided funds for the church in Puerto Rico to oversee the construction of 125 new roofs on homes that were damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Maria.25 The hurricane devastated the island, shutting off water and electricity to many households for months and leaving hundreds of damaged or destroyed buildings. The efforts of church member volunteers and these three ADRA entities resulted in 50,000 people receiving food and basic daily necessities.
Current Role of ADRA IAD in Its Territory
The IAD territory is vulnerable to many types of natural disasters, and as such, the regional ADRA offices are very active. ADRA IAD provides leadership and support to the regional ADRA offices in the territory as well as financial assistance to be used in the relief of communities in need. Furthermore, ADRA IAD participates in regional ADRA offices’ activities and offers support to their long-term community development initiatives.
ADRA IAD relies on the administrators of regional ADRA offices to interact with city officials when disasters strike. Regional ADRA offices cooperate with governments and other entities to provide relief and endorse or finish projects and as such have gained recognition from local governments, entities such as the Red Cross, and local authorities throughout the IAD territory. Each regional ADRA office exists and operates within its territory to deliver relief and assistance to individuals regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association.
ADRA IAD’s commitment as a church organization is to provide leadership, financial support, and assistance in following through on projects that help rebuild the lives of those affected and displaced by natural disasters and other catastrophes in the IAD territory.
List of Directors
Sergio Moctezuma (SAWS, 1979-1984); Sievert Gustavsson (1984-1987); Sidney J. Cole (1987-1992); Wallace L. Amundson (1992-2016); David Poloche (2016- ).
Sources
“2010 Haiti earthquake.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake.
“2017 Mocoa landslide.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Mocoa_landslide.
ADRA El Salvador, and Libna Stevens. “ADRA Helps Hundreds Complete Literacy Program in El Salvador.” Adventist Review. March 4, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/press-release/adra-helps-hundreds-complete-literacy-program-in-el-salvador/.
ADRA International. “ADRA Offers Aid to Families and Displaced Survivors in Mexico.” Adventist Review. November 14, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/adra-offers-aid-to-families-and-displaced-survivors-in-mexico/.
Adventist Review. “UNAD Opens Agriculture Laboratory.” Inter-American Division News Flashes, November 1991.
Alvarez, Ramiro. “ADRA in the Carib Territory.” Inter-American Division News Flashes, October 1991.
Coke, Nigel. “Hurricane Beryl Relief.” Jamaica Observer, July 10, 2024. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/07/10/hurricane-beryl-relief/.
Coke, Nigel. “Jamaica: ADRA Hosts Disaster Response Training.” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division. September 27, 2007. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://interamerica.org/2007/09/jamaica-adra-hosts-disaster-response-training/.
Cole, Sidney. “ADRA Holds Workshop in Puerto Rico.” Inter-American Division News Flashes, March 1991.
Félixon, Jermy Carmy, and Libna Stevens. “Adventists Assist Families Affected by Severe Flooding Across Haiti.” Adventist Review. June 20, 2023. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/adventists-assist-families-affected-by-severe-flooding-across-haiti/.
Higgins, Nicole J., and Libna Stevens. “Guatemala: Ministry of Education grants Literacy Award to ADRA.” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division. November 4, 2003. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://interamerica.org/2003/11/guatemala-ministry-of-education-grants-literacy-award-to-adra/.
IAD Staff. “ADRA Assists Families After Tropical Storm Nate Hit Costa Rica.” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division. November 8, 2017. Accessed March 22, 2020. https://interamerica.org/2017/11/adra-assists-families-after-tropical-storm-nate-hit-costa-rica/.
Inter-American Division Board of Directors year-end meeting minutes, November 5, 1979. “SAWS – New Policy.” Inter-American Division Archives, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “Guatemala: Volcanic Eruption (Fuego Volcano) MDRGT013 12-Month Update.” reliefweb. October 8, 2019. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://reliefweb.int/report/guatemala/guatemala-volcanic-eruption-fuego-volcano-mdrgt013-12-month-update.
Nikkels, Johannes G. “Costa Rican Youth Cooperate with ADRA.” Inter-American Division News Flashes, February 1992.
“Our Story.” ADRA. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://adra.org/about-adra.
Oviedo, Elva Gómex, and ADRA Colombia. “ADRA Colombia Distributes 1,100 Hygiene Kits among Venezuelan Migrants.” Adventist Review. June 29, 2021. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/adra-colombia-distributes-1100-hygiene-kits-among-venezuelan-migrants/.
Rodriguez, Ralph R. “‘Thank You’ From Colombia.” Inter-American News Flashes, April 29, 1980.
Rueda, Shirley, and Inter-American Division staff. “Colombia’s Parliament Bestows a Medal on ADRA.” Adventist Review. December 8, 2015. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/colombias-parliament-bestows-a-medal-on-adra/.
“Thousands of flood victims in Haiti, Dominican Republic need urgent aid – UN.” United Nations UN News: Global perspective Human stories. May 28, 2004. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://news.un.org/en/story/2004/05/105052.
Stevens, Libna. “ADRA Assists Families Affected by the Recent Volcano Eruptions in Guatemala.” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division. June 6, 2018. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://interamerica.org/2018/06/adra-assists-families-affected-by-the-recent-volcano-eruptions-in-guatemala/.
Stevens, Libna. “Dominican Republic: ADRA and Loma Linda University Respond to Victims of Devastating Floods.” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division. May 31, 2004. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://interamerica.org/2004/05/dominican-republic-adra-and-loma-linda-university-respond-to-victims-of-devastating-floods/.
Stevens, Libna. “Puerto Rico Will Forever Have Two Stories: Before and After Maria,” Adventist Review, February 13, 2018, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/puerto-rico-will-forever-have-two-stories-before-and-after-maria/.
Stevens, Libna. “We Have Felt the Wrath of Hurricane Irma.” Adventist Review. September 15, 2017. Accessed October 6, 2024. https://adventistreview.org/news/we-have-felt-the-wrath-of-hurricane-irma/.
Notes
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“Our Story,” ADRA, accessed September 30, 2024, https://adra.org/about-adra.↩
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Inter-American Division Board of Directors year-end meeting, November 5, 1979, 6326-6327, “SAWS – New Policy.” Inter-American Division Archives.↩
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Ralph R. Rodriguez, “‘Thank You’ From Colombia,” Inter-American News Flashes, April 29, 1980, 2.↩
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Sidney Cole, “ADRA Holds Workshop in Puerto Rico,” Inter-American Division News Flashes, March 1991, 1-2.↩
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Ramiro Alvarez, “ADRA in the Carib Territory,” Inter-American Division News Flashes, October 1991, 4.↩
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Adventist Review, “UNAD Opens Agriculture Laboratory,” Inter-American Division News Flashes, November 1991, accessed October 6, 2024, https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/IAM/IAM19911101-423.pdf.↩
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Johannes G. Nikkels, “Costa Rican Youth Cooperate with ADRA,” Inter-American Division News Flashes, February 1992, 3.↩
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Libna Stevens, “Dominican Republic: ADRA and Loma Linda University Respond to Victims of Devastating Floods,” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division, May 31, 2004, accessed October 6, 2024, https://interamerica.org/2004/05/dominican-republic-adra-and-loma-linda-university-respond-to-victims-of-devastating-floods/.↩
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Nicole J. Higgins and Libna Stevens, “Guatemala: Ministry of Education grants Literacy Award to ADRA,” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division, November 4, 2003, accessed October 6, 2024, https://interamerica.org/2003/11/guatemala-ministry-of-education-grants-literacy-award-to-adra/.↩
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“Thousands of flood victims in Haiti, Dominican Republic need urgent aid – UN,” United Nations UN News: Global perspective Human stories, May 28, 2004, accessed October 6, 2024, https://news.un.org/en/story/2004/05/105052.↩
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“2010 Haiti earthquake,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed October 6, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake.↩
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Libna Stevens, personal files on 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Inter-American Division Communications Department.↩
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Shirley Rueda and Inter-American Division staff, “Colombia’s Parliament Bestows a Medal on ADRA,” Adventist Review, December 8, 2015, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/colombias-parliament-bestows-a-medal-on-adra/.↩
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Libna Stevens, “We Have Felt the Wrath of Hurricane Irma,” Adventist Review, September 15, 2017, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/we-have-felt-the-wrath-of-hurricane-irma/.↩
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“2017 Mocoa landslide,” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, accessed October 6, 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Mocoa_landslide.↩
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Elva Gómex Oviedo and ADRA Colombia, “ADRA Colombia Distributes 1,100 Hygiene Kits among Venezuelan Migrants,” Adventist Review, June 29, 2021, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/adra-colombia-distributes-1100-hygiene-kits-among-venezuelan-migrants/.↩
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IAD Staff, “ADRA Assists Families After Tropical Storm Nate Hit Costa Rica,” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division, November 8, 2017, accessed March 22, 2020, https://interamerica.org/2017/11/adra-assists-families-after-tropical-storm-nate-hit-costa-rica/.↩
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ADRA El Salvador and Libna Stevens, “ADRA Helps Hundreds Complete Literacy Program in El Salvador,” Adventist Review, March 4, 2023, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/press-release/adra-helps-hundreds-complete-literacy-program-in-el-salvador/.↩
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Libna Stevens, “ADRA Assists Families Affected by the Recent Volcano Eruptions in Guatemala,” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division, June 6, 2018, accessed October 6, 2024, https://interamerica.org/2018/06/adra-assists-families-affected-by-the-recent-volcano-eruptions-in-guatemala/.↩
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, “Guatemala: Volcanic Eruption (Fuego Volcano) MDRGT013 12-Month Update,” reliefweb, October 8, 2019, accessed October 6, 2024, https://reliefweb.int/report/guatemala/guatemala-volcanic-eruption-fuego-volcano-mdrgt013-12-month-update.↩
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Jermy Carmy Félixon and Libna Stevens, “Adventists Assist Families Affected by Severe Flooding Across Haiti,” Adventist Review, June 20, 2023, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/adventists-assist-families-affected-by-severe-flooding-across-haiti/.↩
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Nigel Coke, “Jamaica: ADRA Hosts Disaster Response Training,” Seventh-day Adventist Church: Inter-American Division, September 27, 2007, accessed October 6, 2024, https://interamerica.org/2007/09/jamaica-adra-hosts-disaster-response-training/.↩
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Nigel Coke, “Hurricane Beryl Relief,” Jamaica Observer, July 10, 2024, accessed October 6, 2024, https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/07/10/hurricane-beryl-relief/.↩
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ADRA International, “ADRA Offers Aid to Families and Displaced Survivors in Mexico,” Adventist Review, November 14, 2023, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/adra-offers-aid-to-families-and-displaced-survivors-in-mexico/.↩
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Libna Stevens, “Puerto Rico Will Forever Have Two Stories: Before and After Maria,” Adventist Review, February 13, 2018, accessed October 6, 2024, https://adventistreview.org/news/puerto-rico-will-forever-have-two-stories-before-and-after-maria/.↩