ADRA and Adventist Health collaborate to help Ukrainian refugees. Photo courtesy ADRA International
Medical supplies and medications were airlifted to Ukraine during the first week of April through a collaboration between Adventist Health and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
Supplies were donated by Adventist Health medical supply partners and made possible in part by private donors. The Adventist Health Supply Chain and Global Mission departments managed the logistics of the donations in California. Supplies will be distributed to eight hospitals in Ukraine through channels maintained by ADRA.
“In March, we received an urgent request from the Ministry of Health in Ukraine through ADRA for needed supplies,” said John Schroer, Global Mission system lead for Adventist Health. “The request noted that surgeons in Ukraine are particularly in need of supplies to treat combat wounds and civilian injuries at local hospitals.”
While many supply chain channels into Ukraine have been cut off because of the war, logistics are in place through ADRA to route the supplies where they are most needed. The ADRA Ukraine team has remained in their country to coordinate this work as the fighting continues.
“These are desperate times for the people of Ukraine,” said Schroer. “There is no greater opportunity to live God’s love and provide health, wholeness, and hope in a community than at a time of great despair.”
Schroer organized the collection of supplies and the airlift process. Supplies were put on pallets and prepared for the flight at Adventist Health Simi Valley in California. On March 29, 2022, a group of associates from Simi Valley gathered to pray for the war in Ukraine and for safe delivery of the supplies.
Employees at Adventist Health Simi Valley stand in front of medical supplies to be airlifted to Ukraine in early April. From left: Taylor Laurie, director of Mission and Spiritual Care; Stella Riddell, Patient Care executive; Chip Owens, finance officer; John Schroer, Global Mission system lead (Roseville office); Jennifer Swenson, president; John Dingilian, medical officer; Cory Ferrier, Business Development executive; and Kathryn Stiles, director of Community Integration. Photo provided by Adventist Health
“We’re so thankful for our Supply Chain leader, Justin Freed, and for the leaders and associates at Adventist Health Simi Valley who were instrumental in getting the supplies ready to send,” said Schroer. “This effort took the contributions of many individuals coming together as a team. It was rewarding to see the collaboration happen in so many different areas.”
Through strategic partnerships with organizations such as ADRA and other partners, Adventist Health works to strengthen health systems, provide sustainable healthcare solutions and bring hope and healing to a hurting world. The Adventist Health Global Mission department draws together resources from inside and outside the organization for both long- and short-term projects in response to disasters and other specific needs. The driving force is often a desire among Adventist Health employees to do something to help.
“Jesus helped people in very practical ways. His example is our inspiration. We do this work because providing health, wholeness, and hope as He did is at the heart of the mission and purpose of Adventist Health,” reiterated Schroer.
Your financial contributions to the Adventist Health Global Mission Fund will go to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Romania. To contribute to this fund, visit adventisthealth.org/giving/global-mission-fund. For more information about the ADRA response to the refugee crisis in Ukraine, please contact John Schroer or Marcidale Amurao at GlobalMissions@ah.org.