As described in ADRA’s name, the agency’s work is divided into two main areas: development and relief.
A)Development is a process of social and economic change whereby people are empowered to take care of themselves, sustenance, and future within a civil society. The basis of development is simply expressed in the well-known statement: “Give a person a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach them how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Responsible development practice is designed to have a long-term, positive impact on a community. ADRA believes it is essential to engage the community in the process of planning for an intended community change. Thus, consultations take place with the local community to determine and prioritise their needs. This enables the community to have a voice in the decision-making and take ownership of the project.
B)Emergency Management projects include short-term assistance given to relieve immediate emergency needs. This includes projects such as shelter, clothing, food and medical treatment. Disaster relief activities often transition from this handout’ mode to development to avoid the creation of dependency and to enable long-term sustainability. ADRA also works to mitigate the effects of a crisis by developing regional strategies for effective disaster response.