ADRA Spreads Awareness on World Trafficking Day
30 July 2025 |
On July 30, World Trafficking Day, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) stops to honor the victims of human trafficking. Though the exact number is unknown, according to a study done by the International Labor Organization, there are 49.6 million people currently trapped in modern slavery worldwide. Though there are many different types of trafficking, the most predominant form is sex trafficking. Women and girls are three times more likely to be trafficked than men or boys. Trafficking, which is one of the most lucrative exploitations globally, is dependent on political unrest, economic instability in nations, poverty, those raised in domestic violence, and migrants.
ADRA seeks to bridge the gap between vulnerability and safety through its safeguarding efforts. ADRA has Comprehensive Care stations where vans are parked on borders like Huaquillas, where migrants displaced by economic instability constantly cross to find better lives. These borders are also prime locations for traffickers. By stationing their vans on the borders, ADRA can meet the needs of vulnerable people by providing emotional safety, medical care, and shelter.
In a collaborative article by ADRA and Adventist Review, they state:
ADRA’s work goes far beyond emergency response. As part of its safeguarding efforts, ADRA empowers communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to trafficking risks—especially for women, children, and migrants.
“At ADRA, we raise awareness in communities and among staff to make sure they know how to identify and prevent trafficking of people,” said Beryl Hartmann, director of safeguarding for ADRA International.
“This is part of our holistic approach to ensuring the safety of everyone we work with,” Hartmann said. “Our teams are driven by justice, guided by compassion, and sustained through love. They help reunite families, protect the displaced, and offer a way forward when all seems lost.”
