Silver Spring, Maryland—The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is responding to the immediate needs of survivors of a severe earthquake that destroyed hundreds of homes in northwestern Japan on Monday, leaving more than 2,000 people homeless and killing at least seven people.

ADRA is providing initial funding to support ADRA Japan as workers assess damages and respond to the needs of survivors. ADRA Japan is currently distributing emergency water supplies to earthquake-affected families, and will continue to expand its relief efforts according to its assessments of survivors' changing needs.

Initial reports indicate that the magnitude 6.8 earthquake left at least 20,000 homes in the Niigata region without electricity and 40,000 homes without water.

To donate to ADRA's emergency response effort to aid survivors of the earthquake in Japan, please contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or donate online to ADRA's Emergency Management fund at www.adra.org.

Updates will be released as ADRA's response efforts expand.

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

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

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Media Contact: Nadia McGill ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquries@adra.org