Silver Spring, Maryland - The Adventist Development and Relief Agency
(ADRA) has provided emergency relief supplies for families that were displaced by recent political uprising in Guinea Bissau.

Since the signing of the peace agreement between the Government of Senegal and the Senegalese secessionist group -- the Movement for the Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC)--in December of 2004, power struggles in the MFDC have led to fragmentation of the organization, resulting in increased tension, insecurity, and armed conflict in the Senegal-Guinea Bissau border region.

Thousands of people have sought refuge in the cities of Cacheu, Bula, Ingoré, and Bissau, Guinea Bissau's capital city. Many arrived in the cities empty handed, seeking shelter in the homes of relatives.
Some homes continue to struggle with their newly expanded families, accommodating between 10 to 60 displaced persons.

"Although the MFDC was chased back to Senegal in late April," commented Pastor Elimar Pereira Zillo, country director for the ADRA office in Guinea Bissau, "thousands of displaced persons continue to seek shelter in the homes of relatives. Many are afraid to begin the long journey home as many roads have been heavily mined by the now absent MFDC."

ADRA coordinated and managed relief activities for more than 1,500 persons in Cacheu. ADRA also distributed non-food items to 350 families, including household items and construction materials for much needed toilets.

The project, which is funded by ADRA International, is worth $10,000.
Many volunteers continued the work, even after the completion of the project on April 30th, to distribute essential emergency items for refugees.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.