The Anguilla branch of the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), which swung into action for the first time, following Hurricane Irma that devastated the island on September 6, 2017, is now geared up to continue its relief work if required to do so again this hurricane season.
Word of this has come from the SDA Anguilla District Resident Minister, Pastor Trent Berg. Speaking at the Mount Fortune Church, he said: “We thank God for His mercies to us as we enter the month of September. This week reminds us of the passing of Hurricane Irma, and we recognize God’s mercies to us in sparing our lives and bringing us to this moment in time.
“We want you to know that the ADRA Board has been very busy providing the guidance and the training of a number of our volunteers who are to operate our points of distribution (POD) here in Anguilla. It has been determined that the Mount Fortune Church will have a dual purpose. It will be serving as a hurricane shelter for members and the wider community under the auspices of the Department of Disaster Preparedness of the Government of Anguilla. The church building will also serve as one of our POD for the eastern side of the island where we will respond to the needs of our members and other persons in our community.”
Pastor Berg further stated: “We have also identified a POD for the western side of Anguilla and that is our community centre at Jireh Tabernacle at South Hill. Those will be the two main locations from where we will be assisting persons in need of relief supplies. It is important for us to know that ADRA has been set up by our church organization to serve everyone. There will not be a special line for Seventh-day Adventists when the assistance is being given. I want to make that clear. That is not ADRA’s role. It is to serve everyone in need.”
He added: “In the case of a passing storm it is important that you listen closely to your radio for whatever announcements the Government has to make. Please follow the instructions carefully. When we have clearance from the Government to move forward with our efforts, as a church to respond to the needs of the community and our members, we will seek to communicate via the airways to you. I pray you will join with me in that same spirit of helping all who are in need.”
When Hurricane Irma struck Anguilla, an ADRA working group, comprising members of the SDA Church and the community, was immediately set up and trained to serve alongside the Department of Disaster Management. Quantities of water and food supplies were distributed to many persons and, in some cases, building materials were also provided for the repairing of homes.
