1956
ADRA’s humanitarian work was first established in November 1956 by the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church to provide relief and welfare. The organisation was originally called Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service (SAWS).
1958
SAWS organised relief shipments to 22 countries with a total value of about $US485,000. Four years later, the number of countries had increased to 29, with a total value of $US2.3 million in shipments. During this period, countries benefited included those in South America and the Middle East, sites of major disasters.
1970
By the mid-1970s, the organisation began to broaden its mission from disaster relief into programs leading to long-term development.
1973
As the Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service (SAWS) work expanded, its name was changed to Seventh-day Adventist World Service to better reflect our move into community development, not just welfare.
1983
As SAWS moved from simply providing emergency relief to an ever-growing program of long-term community development, it changed its name to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
ADRA’s work grew rapidly with major programs in several countries emphasising community development, food distribution, institutional development and ongoing disaster relief. ADRA’s activities included: building health clinics in Africa, assisting hurricane victims in Central America, teaching hygiene and health to children in Asia, and promoting awareness of worldwide humanitarian needs through ADRA’s Global Village in the United States.
Jan 1985- Dec1989 (5 years)
ADRA started working in Myanmar, the Seventh-day Adventist Church taking active part as a part of the Health Department. The Department Head was Pr. Ephraim Han who had worked as country director until the end of 1989 for ADRA Myanmar.
Jan 1990- Dec 1996 (7 years)Pr. Kenneth Htang was assigned to be the country director in 1990 as Country Director. ADRA Myanmar signed the MoU with the Ministry Of Health and it stands as a recognized INGO in Myanmar from then.
Jan 1997-Dec 1999 (3 years)
Pr. Tember Chit was assigned to be country director in 1997 and he was country director up to 1999.
Jan 2000- May 2011 (11 years 5 months)
Teddy Din was assigned to be Country Director in 2000 and he worked for ADRA up to May 2011.
June 2011- Up to now
Pr. Min Lwin, the executive secretary of MYUM was assigned as to be acting Country Director after Teddy Din resigned in May 2011 till IDE country director is appointed