ADRA Laos - About Us

Who is ADRA?

The Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian aid organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that demonstrates God’s love and compassion. ADRA International was initially established in November 1956, and now has a network of offices in 125 countries.

ADRA in Lao PDR

ADRA Lao PDR is an independent office in the ADRA network, and currently employs over 50 people working in the country office located in the capital city, Vientiane, as well as on various project sites in the provinces of Laos. ADRA initially began working in Laos from Bangkok, where the ADRA Asia Regional Office is now located. An agreement of cooperation was signed with the Government of the Lao PRD on the 21st of July, 1992, and the ADRA Lao PDR Office was opened in Vientiane in April 1994.

Since then, ADRA Lao PDR has successfully implemented more than 60 rural and urban development and relief projects valued at in excess of US$6.5million, with plans to continue partnering with communities, organisations and governments for future projects.

ADRA serves all those in need without regard to ethnicity, gender, age, or political or religious affiliation.

Laos at a Glance

All you need to know

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west. Laos traces its history to the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of a Million Elephants, which existed from the 14t to the 18th century.

After a period as a French protectorate, it gained independence in 1949. A long civil war ended officially when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975, but the protesting between factions continued for several years.

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History of ADRA

A History of Service

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was established in November 1956 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide humanitarian relief and welfare. Originally called Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service or SAWS, the name was changed to Seventh-day Adventist World Service in 1973.

By 1958, SAWS reported relief shipments to 22 countries with a total value of about $485,000. Four years later, the number of countries had increased to 29, with a total value of $2.3 million in shipments. During this period, countries benefited included those in South America and the Middle East, sites of major disasters.

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