reported by Thomas Fricke

Since the week of January 17th, PPKGO and Trimaju have continued to provide emergency relief supplies to the 3,000 families of internally displaced people (IDPs) that have sought refuge in the Gayo Highlands. Many of these people are ethnic Gayos who lost their homes and many family members during the tsunami in Banda Aceh and other coastal areas. Most are still housed in tents, makeshift shelters, and a large meeting hall near the market town of Pondok Baru in the newly-created Kabupaten (district or county) of Bener Meriah. Over the coming months, the IDPs hope to either find lodging with family members or find vacant land to build homes and seek new livelihoods. 

Over the last two weeks, a routine has developed where trucks bringing semi-processed coffee into the Medan export warehouse of ForesTrade Indonesia are loaded with relief supplies to be sent back to the highlands. Below are photos of the loading of the trucks and the cargo ready to roll. Each week, two trucks loaded with rice, sugar, noodles, and other food staples, cooking oil, bedding, blankets, and personal hygiene items have been dispatched for distribution to the IDPs at their locations. The banners state “Bantuan Korban Tsunami NAD” or “Relief Aid for the Tsunami Victims in Naggroe Aceh Darrussalem,” which is the official term for Aceh Province. The front of the trucks are marked with the words “Assistance from PT ForesTrade and the People of America.” Our local partners decided it was best to primarily indicate the foreign origin of the assistance to avoid interference and to acknowledge your generous support.

Since official assistance for the IDPs in the highlands is minimal due to priority emphasis in the coastal areas, we anticipate the need for continued assistance to them as they seek to transition to potential resettlement in the coming weeks and months. Simultaneously, PPKGO and Trimaju are gathering specific proposals and budgets for repair of community infrastructure affected by the initial large earthquake and subsequent smaller quakes. Thus far, we have received a proposal for the reconstruction of two bridges and a several kilometer stretch of road that have cut off over 1,000 villagers. Other projects are expected, such as reconstruction of a demolished Islamic girl’s boarding school and repair of damaged water supply systems, mosques, and homes. Our local partners will try to prioritize based on indications of the funds still coming in. So, your continued support will be much appreciated!

Growing the Sumatran Relief Efforts 
Already 6,000 dollars has been sent to support our coffee farmers in Aceh. This money was raised in less than a month by your generous purchases of the Tsunami Relief Roast. Since offering it on our website many local cafes and churches have begun selling the TRR. With your continued support we have made it a goal to raise 30,000 dollars. If your church, school or organization would like to sell the Tsunami Roast please call or email us. Otherwise we encourage everyone to keep purchasing the Tsunami Relief Roast. We will continue to provide you with the most up to date reports on any progress and efforts made in Aceh. 

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