ADRA Solomon Islands Staff and Office Safe

27 April 2006

Wahroonga, New South Wales — The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) staff in the Solomon Islands are all safe, following the civil unrest that broke out last week following the elections for Prime Minister.

The main ADRA office, located 10km east of Honiara in Lunga near Burns Creek, remains open, with staff working from the office or from home.

ADRA has two projects in the Solomon Islands, one of which has been suspended due to the civil unrest.

ADRA’s HIV and AIDS project office, located in Honiara’s New Chinatown, where much of the conflict was targeted, has remained undamaged but is closed. The project, currently in its third year, will recommence when deemed safe.

ADRA’s Community Strengthening and Rehabilitation Program, at the end of its second year, is not located in Honiara and has been able to continue.

ADRA Solomon Islands staff are making daily assessments of all project activities. ADRA Australia is also conducting regular assessments in coordination with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and other Australian non-government organisations with projects in the affected area.

ADRA has been working intermittently in the Solomon Islands for more than 10 years, providing projects for clean water, HIV and AIDS education and community strengthening.

ADRA Australia is one of the country’s largest and most active humanitarian agencies engaging in sustainable development programs and disaster relief for people in Australia and abroad. The ADRA network has an active presence in 125 countries.

ADRA Australia is a major non-government organisation (NGO) fully accredited with the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID). It is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct which requires members to maintain high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.

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