Update of the Aceh Tsunami Relief Fund
PPKGO, ForesTrade and CV Trimaju
June 2005

The Aceh Tsunami Relief Fund has made a complete shift to supporting the reconstruction of local community infrastructure in the coffee-growing Gayo Highland region. In late April, the local implementing organizations PPKGO and CV Trimaju created a summary plan for priority rebuilding projects in 20 villages that suffered physical losses during the devastating earthquake of December 2004 and subsequent aftershocks. An itemized budget was prepared containing specific locations, projects undertaken, and estimated costs per item. The following projects were identified with a total budget allocation of Rp 2.513 billion (about US$271,231):

  • Rebuilding of 15 structurally-damaged mosques
  • Repair of 7 community water supply systems
  • Reconstruction of 11 village menasahs (Islamic religious schools)
  • Rehabilitation of 10 local coffee processing facilities
  • Rehabilitation of approximately 10 hectares of coffee farms with soil erosion losses
  • Repair of damaged housing in all 20 villages

    • Reconstruction activities have begun in most of the communities. However, only the highest priority work is underway as the 2004-2005 coffee harvest has still continued through the last two months. On a parallel track, the centralized processing plant of CV Trimaju and the largest PPKGO-managed small-scale wet mill were rehabilitated in March-April using funds from European funding sources. Despite the early delays and difficulties, the harvest has proceeded well and the farmers and buyers alike are reporting that production volumes and product quality are normal to very good.

    The bulk of the reconstruction efforts will take place from July-October during the period before Ramadhan and the resumption of the next harvest in November. A civil engineering student from Banda Aceh who survived the Tsunami in West Sumatra and who received financial support from the Aceh Tsunami Relief Fund will make visits to Central Aceh to monitor progress and provide technical support over the next several months. Photographs of several of the reconstruction efforts underway are shown below. A comprehensive report with in-depth documentation and accounting will be completed and posted by mid-August 2005.

    A major positive development during the last several months has been the provision of temporary employment to a number of the estimated 10,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) that have located in Central Aceh by coffee farmers and local processing units. This will last until about July-August, when the harvest will end and the product run through the processing plants. However, plans are much needed to meet the long-term land, housing, employment, and educational needs of the IDPs so that they will be able to have an orderly and stable resettlement.







    Update of the Aceh Tsunami Relief Fund
    PPKGO, ForesTrade and CV Trimaju
    March 16, 2005

    Since the end of February 2005, the emphasis of the Aceh Relief Fund has shifted from immediate emergency relief to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Takengon Highlands to local community infrastructure repair and rehabilitation and educational support to students. We are pleased to report that over $300,000 has been collected or pledged for this fund since the tsunami occurred, primarily through Coffee Kids, and other partnering non-profit organizations, Café Femenino Foundation and Counterpart International. As well, a number of direct donations have been received from coffee customers, financial institutions, investors and friends in North America and Europe. The response has been tremendous and very much appreciated. It is expected that these funds will provide ongoing support for local initiatives over the coming two-three months.

    After the distribution of food, medical, and clothing supplies over the last two months, the fund is now proceeding with pilot efforts to rebuild vital community infrastructure in the Gayo Highlands, such as schools, places of worship, and homes. As during the relief phase, these efforts are being administered on the basis of cost-sharing with the beneficiaries and provision of materials rather than money to the optimal extent. Some of the efforts that the fund is preparing to support include the reconstruction of a Madrasa (Islamic girls boarding school) that was badly damaged by the earthquakes in Bener Meriah and the repair of four mosques in the villages of Bener Kalifah, Wih Tenang, Pante Raya, and Pondok Sayur. The mosques are the spiritual and social center of each community and provide a number of essential community services including public meeting places and drinking water supply. The fund will be providing photographs of the reconstruction efforts as they proceed.

    In late February, the fund started a modest effort to support students from Aceh that have faced financial difficulties or been displaced due to loss of family members and resources resulting from the tsunami. A total of 273 Acehnese students attending five universities in West Sumatra will have parts or all of their tuition and living expenses covered for the following six-month semester. About 60% of these students have lost immediate family and were facing the prospect of having to halt their studies.

    The makeshift encampment of 3,000 families of IDPs that was set up in Bener Meriah after the tsunami is now mostly disbanded, with most of the members staying under crowded conditions with extended families in the region. PPKGO and the local government are monitoring this situation closely and preparing plans to assist the IDPs in self-help construction of new low-cost housing in March. Additionally, plans are emerging to assist those IDPs with the skills and motivation to participate in a long-term coffee farm rehabilitation program. If a major portion of the over 10,000 hectares of degraded lands in Bener Meriah and Central Aceh can be restored, the area is expected to produce at least 5,000 additional tons of high quality Arabica coffee within 5 years.

    A similar modest fund is being developed for students from the Gayo Highlands in the coming month. The fund is providing orientation for these students to return or stay in Aceh to assist in the reconstruction and recovery efforts when they complete their studies. Priority is being given to students close to graduation.



    Update Report - Aceh Relief Fund
    Report by: Thomas Fricke of Forestrade
    February 8, 2005

    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!