On August 19, we observe World Humanitarian Day, a time to honor humanitarian workers around the world and recognize their unwavering commitment to serving others. Today, an estimated 450,000 humanitarian workers are helping people affected by conflict, disasters, poverty, and crisis, bringing hope and practical support to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

For ADRA, this means staff and volunteers serving in more than 120 countries so all may live as God intended. Every day, they bring justice, compassion, and love to communities in need, walking alongside families as they rebuild their lives after disaster, supporting communities as they overcome poverty, and protecting children so they can grow up safe, healthy, and full of possibility. 

Behind every humanitarian response is a person with a story, a calling, and a commitment to serve others. We are honored to introduce you to just a few members of the ADRA family serving around the world.

Vanessa Souza, State Coordinator for ADRA Rondonia, Brazil

“The reunions always remain vivid in my memory.  Meeting with people we have met before, during moments of extreme vulnerability, and seeing how they rebuilt their lives is one of the greatest rewards humanitarian work can offer. When they come back just to say “thank you,” we see we are providng more than only aid, we were able to offer hope, a sense of belonging, and dignity.

“Being a humanitarian means…choosing to serve every day, bringing dignity, hope, and care to people, especially when they need it most.”

Sujit Kumar Sah, Communication and Advocacy Assistant, ADRA Nepal

“I was inspired to become a humanitarian because I wanted my work to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives directly. Seeing the impact of food security, disabilities, disasters, poverty, and inequality on communities made me realize the importance of organizations that provide responses, protection, assistance, and advocate for people and community resilience.” 

“Being a humanitarian means…seeing potential where others see hardship and standing with people until they can rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.”

Geert Hendriks, Country Director, ADRA Netherlands

“I first saw the work of ADRA when I became an Adventist 1983. At that time we sold magazines door to door to collect money and for awareness. I thought this is a great organization to serve and help people. It took 26 years of my life to make the change to work for ADRA. I had been working for several commercial companies in telecommunication. In those last years more and more came the thought “what is the use of all this!” I had good coworkers, great salary, very nice car (Alfa Romeo), yearly bonus and luxury business trips. But at the end of the day I was asking myself what is the purpose of this all.

So that was the moment I thought I really need to make a change and live a purposeful life.” 

“Being a humanitarian means…living a meaningful life making impact with good words, actions and your whole being. Giving hope to people close by and far away who are in distress.”

Phano Kong, Public Relations Coordinator, ADRA Cambodia

“One moment that has stayed with me is interviewing families who shared how ADRA’s support had opened new opportunities, improved their livelihoods, and given them renewed hope for their children’s future. Seeing those changes with my own eyes reminded me that behind every photo, video, or story is a real person whose life has been changed. That continues to inspire and motivate me every day.”

“Being a humanitarian means…caring for people, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and using whatever skills we have to help make life better for others. Even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.”

Hannah Ndungu, Emergency Management Director, ADRA Africa

“When the tsunami struck Asia in 2004, its waves reached as far as Somalia, leaving devastation in their wake. Around 200 people lost their lives, and entire fishing families saw their livelihoods and homes swept away. In the aftermath, ADRA received funding to help the affected community 470 households living in a disaster-prone area near the Indian Ocean rebuild their lives from scratch.

The community made the courageous decision to start anew in the safer village. I’ll never forget the day a mother gave birth in the new clinic and named her child Adra Mohamud. She told us that while her son’s name would always remind her of her husband lost to the tsunami, it would also symbolize hope and a new beginning in a place where life could flourish again.”
 
 “Being a humanitarian means…opening my heart to others and allowing God to work through me to bring hope and encouragement. It’s about walking with people through life’s challenges, celebrating their moments of renewal, and knowing that my efforts can help create new beginnings where they are needed most.

Fahim Safi, Senior MEAL Advisor, ADRA International

“My journey began long before I entered the humanitarian field. I was born in a refugee came after my family was displaced by the war in Afghanistan. During my childhood, my family received humanitarian assistance from nonprofit organizations, and that support made a lasting difference in our lives. Experiencing that compassion firsthand inspired me to dedicate my life to serving others.

While I was still in high school, I started my first job with a nonprofit organization, helping provide humanitarian assistance to families and refugees affected by conflict in Afghanistan. Since then, serving vulnerable communities has been both my profession and my inspiration.”

“Being a humanitarian means…serving others with compassion and dignity especially those facing the greatest challenges. It means standing alongside vulnerable communities, offering hope in times of crisis, and working together to help people build a better future.”

Stanislav Bielik, Country Director, ADRA Slovakia

“A moment that has stayed with me is transporting and delivering generators and humanitarian aid to hospitals on the front line in Ukraine, despite the danger of rocket attacks. The selfless doctors and medical staff who stayed behind to provide assistance to local residents and the wounded.”

“Being a humanitarian means…sometimes pushing ourselves to the very limits of our strength so that we can reach and serve where it is most needed.

Denis Baratov, Country Director, ADRA MENA

“I was born and raised in Tajikistan. The early 1990s were a time of turbulence and of incredibly difficult trials for our republic. I realized that only compassion is not enough, I need to do something. The desire to alleviate people’s suffering and make life at least a little better for those who happened to be in a difficult situation of life became my primary driving force. This aspiration evolved from an inner impulse into the ministry.

Sometimes the greatest changes begin with a single, sincere desire to make the world around you a little bit better.”

“Being a humanitarian means…to be able to see humans where others see only numbers”.

Angelina Taufaga, Emergency Coordinator, ADRA Fiji

“It was the desire to do work that has a real impact on people’s lives. In the Pacific, disasters are something we know can happen at any time, and I’ve seen how quickly they can disrupt families, livelihoods and communities. I wanted to be part of something that doesn’t just respond after a disaster, but helps people prepare, become more resilient and recover with dignity. 

Working in humanitarian response has shown me that sometimes the smallest things,  being prepared, showing up, listening or simply helping someone feel less alone,  can make a huge difference.

“Being a humanitarian means…showing up, especially when it is difficult , and using what you have, wherever you are, to help people feel safer, stronger and less alone.”

Andrii Khozhez, Project Manager, ADRA Ukraine

“If we go back to the beginning of 2022, the first months of the full-scale invasion were undoubtedly the most emotional and difficult period of my life. At that time, you forget what exhaustion feels like. You barely sleep for weeks because you work around the clock, receiving people affected by the war and internally displaced people day and night.

I clearly remember Lviv railway station at the beginning of the war. Thousands of people arrived there every day — hungry, barefoot, and frightened. Among them were hundreds of children. Their tears, pain, and feeling that their lives had simply stopped are memories that have stayed with me forever.” 
 
“Being a humanitarian means..being useful exactly where and when you are needed most. It means using your knowledge, experience, and skills to help another person, save a life, support someone through a difficult moment, or simply give them hope for a better future.”

These are only a few of the thousands of ADRA staff and volunteers serving around the world. While every story is different, they are united by a shared commitment to bring justice, compassion, and love to those who need it most.

World Humanitarian Day reminds us that changing the world is not the work of one person, but of thousands who choose to care, to serve, and to stand alongside those in need. We are grateful for every member of the ADRA family and for humanitarian workers everywhere whose compassion brings hope where it is needed most.

To read more stories from the people behind ADRA’s work and learn how lives are being transformed around the world, subscribe to our monthly newsletter. Each issue shares stories of justice, compassion, and love from the communities we serve.