Notizie Avventiste – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) volunteers, together with some Adventist church members in Rieti, are caring for a group of displaced people coming from the earthquake areas. The August 24 earthquake flattened several villages and hamlets of the Rieti province, in the Lazio Region, and of the Marche Region.
A truck of aid and basic goods was stored in the church building.
16 people are currently housed in the Adventist church building. The ADRA and church volunteers are providing a cafeteria service to the displaced people, cooking three meals a day. ADRA Italy offered its availability for meals to the other association volunteers who are working in the surrounding areas. "If the organizations involved in the earthquake emergency need this service, they will contact us," said ADRA Italy to Notizie Avventiste.
A truck of aid and basic goods was stored in the Rieti church building, since the stores of the other associations are already full. "We will use this material for the needs of our guests and for other needs," explained ADRA Italy. "The volunteers have also made an inventory of the medications received, that will be sent to the Red Cross," added ADRA.
The activities that ADRA and the local church are carrying out at the moment are: daily meals, cleaning of the rooms and the restrooms, handling of the material and the goods stored in the building (food, clothing, and medications).
ADRA Italy is organizing volunteer shifts in the church of Rieti; 5 to 6 volunteers are needed every day. Some volunteers from several Adventist congregations (in Rome, Bologna, Florence, Pesaro, etc.) offered their cooperation to the ADRA Rieti local coordinators.
The Adventists also proposed entertainment activities for children and seniors in the tent camps made available to the stricken population in Lazio and Marche Regions. "We still have not received any provisions for animation," said Daniele Benini, pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist church in Rieti.
Since 2012, a social cafeteria service has been at work in the Adventist church in Rieti. This service is part of the ADRA project, called "A Home for All", that offers meals and a multifunctional center where people who are suffering loneliness or social problems can find a place to gather. The center provides various services to immigrants (internet point, showers, food and cloths distribution), along with integration activities.
ADRA Italy has opened a fundraiser to aid earthquake victims in central Italy, in particular, the agency is creating a fund for projects after the emergency.
– Bank account IBAN: IT 95 E 01030 03203 000000866909 – Postal account n. 160 800 04, made payable to ADRA Italia – Lungotevere Michelangelo, 7 – 00192 Roma
– PayPal, made payable to ADRA Italia
