In Syria, nine-year-old Abdulkarim carries responsibilities far beyond his age. When his family returned home after the war, they faced new struggles: his father’s illness worsened, leaving the family with limited income. To help, Abdulkarim worked long hours in his father’s small grocery store, doing what he could to cover basic needs. But this came at an important cost. His education.
The following article about pioneering ADRA President Ralph Watts was originally published on the ADRA International website on August 19, 2025. At the recent 2025 General Conference Session held in St. Louis, Missouri, ADRA Canada CEO Steve Matthews had the opportunity to meet Ralph in person. This article affirms what was evident in that meeting: the remarkable impact and legacy of a life lived in service to humanity. ADRA Canada acknowledges and thanks Ralph and ADRA International for the tremendous part they have played (and continue to play) in advancing the work of the greater ADRA network’s mission of Justice, Compassion, and Love.
August 19, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada.
The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), today issued the following statement.
Every year, Canada’s agricultural sector depends on migrant workers — many from Latin American countries — who take on jobs that are essential but often go unnoticed. These men, who make up the majority of the agricultural workforce, come to Canada seeking opportunity and increased financial security for their families, but arrive with limited resources, education, or connections. Their hard work fills Canadian tables with freshly-grown produce, yet their wages often leave little room for necessities many Canadians take for granted — essentials such as bodywash, deodorant, and toothpaste.
On March 28, 2025, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing widespread devastation for the nearby populations. The epicenter was just 17 kilometers from the city, and tremors were felt across the country, reaching as far as Thailand.
In Bangga Village, Indonesia, Nur Faiza is building a future one batch of banana chips at a time.
As a 26-year-old mother of two, Nur Faiza wanted more stability and stronger support for her family. She soon noticed the abundance of bananas in her village, which sparked a life-changing idea for her and her family: banana chip production.
On July 30, 2025, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, one of the strongest quakes ever recorded. It triggered tsunami warnings and advisories across the Pacific, including coastal British Columbia, the U.S. West Coast, Japan, New Zealand, and parts of South America.
Across Yemen, men, women, and children continue to struggle every day to access food. Though support has already brought relief to many, the need remains staggering. It is estimated that in May, more than half of the households across Yemen were unable to meet their minimum food needs.
The long-standing stereotype of Canada as a cold country is melting away more quickly than many would have thought.
On Thursday, May 29, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a 30-day province-wide state of emergency as 17,000 people were forced to flee from their homes. The fires were precipitated by dry, hot conditions throughout the province – the forested areas, a tinderbox waiting to ignite. Homes, cherished memories, and even lives are at risk.
The long-standing stereotype of Canada as a cold country is melting away more quickly than many would have thought.
On Thursday, May 29, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a 30-day province-wide state of emergency as 17,000 people were forced to flee from their homes. The fires were precipitated by dry, hot conditions throughout the province – the forested areas, a tinderbox waiting to ignite. Homes, cherished memories, and even lives are at risk.
