ADRA assisting flood victims in Mexico, Cambodia

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is delivering supplies to those affected by floods in Mexico. [photo courtesy ADRA International]

Food, hygiene kits part of initial response

October 07, 2013 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | ADRA Staff

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is assisting those affected by flooding in Latin America and Southeast Asia by providing food and shelter in coordination with local government agencies and other NGOs.

In Mexico last month, two tropical storms triggered flooding that affected more than 400,000 people and left 139 dead, according to a country official. In Cambodia, flooding has disrupted the lives of 80,000 families and killed 30 people, a disaster management official said.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is delivering supplies to those affected by floods in Mexico. [photos courtesy ADRA International]

ADRA Mexico has assisted nearly 8,000 people. Agency workers are collaborating with the Mexican Red Cross and municipal agencies to provide food, hygiene kits and shelter for those who have been evacuated. ADRA is working in the states of Guerrero, Veracruz, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi.

ADRA Mexico Director Cesar Hernandez Mercado said the agency has focused on the needs of the most vulnerable people, but many communities are still awaiting assistance.
“We greatly appreciate the immediate response we’ve received; however, there is suffering everywhere and we continue to need additional support,” Hernandez said.

Financial support has been offered by ADRA International and ADRA Inter-American Division.

In Cambodia, ADRA has created distribution sites for flood survivors. Some ADRA employees delivered supplies to elderly residents who were stranded in their home. [photo courtesy ADRA International]

Emanuel da Costa, ADRA International’s director for Emergency Management, said the agency would continue to help local victims now as well as when the flooding subsides.

“We ask our ADRA and church community for their continued prayers and support as we bring aid to Mexico and Cambodia and help in the rebuilding in the coming weeks and months,” da