ForesTrade Inc. and the PPKGO Mobilize Relief Efforts in Aceh, Sumatra
Donations Channeled Through Coffee Kids and Café Femenino Foundation
January 3, 2005 - With a local presence already on the ground at the time
of the December 26 earthquake-tsunami disaster, local partners of Vermont
specialty importer ForesTrade Inc. were able to quickly mobilize relief
efforts in Aceh, Sumatra. The PPKGO (Gayo Organic Coffee Farmers
Association) Fair Trade coffee cooperative quickly responded in
substantial ways; providing shelter and refuge to people in the Takengon
Highlands left homeless from the earthquake and distributing food,
blankets and clothing to people in immediate need. The group has also
sent convoys to the devastated capital of Banda Aceh, where a number of
their children were being educated.
The response from ForesTrade's customers, investors, colleagues, financial
institutions, trade groups and friends from around the world has been
tremendous as people offer their support and financial assistance. Two
specialty coffee industry non-profit organizations, Coffee Kids and Café
Femenino Foundation, are acting as conduits for funds to be channeled
directly to those in need for immediate relief, and long term reparations
to infrastructure such as roads, homes, schools, Mosques and coffee
processing facilities.
"Coffee Kids really stepped up to the plate, offering to channel donations
directly to a designated Sumatra Relief Fund." exclaimed Thomas Fricke,
Co-Founder and CEO of ForesTrade. "100% of the money donated is being
transferred to the PPKGO and other reputable local organizations, and
Coffee Kids has generously offered not to take any administrative fees."
ForesTrade's local offices in Indonesia and the U.S. will monitor the use
of funds donated to ensure transparency and accountability.
As of today, Café Femenino Foundation, a charitable organization
established by Organic Products Trading Company (OPTCO), expects to raise
$10,000 in donations from coffee customers for relief work on the ground.
Relief efforts by ForesTrade and PPKGO are focused in the coffee growing
region of Takengon, and coastal areas of Banda Aceh and South Aceh. These
areas are in need of immediate humanitarian relief, and are areas where
many family members of the PPKGO and ForesTrade Indonesia's staff live.
The support will be broad-based and not restricted to specific members or
communities where the cooperative operates.
"Many of our staff and partnering farmers have family in these areas, and
we are deeply concerned about their immediate safety and well-being."
Thomas Fricke explained. "We believe we can be most effective providing
relief to those areas where we already know local people, are familiar
with the topography and have a trusted way for distributing supplies to
ensure they reach those people most in need." Fricke continued, "with
bridges and roads washed out or blocked, the efficiencies of distributing
relief is an important consideration."
It is difficult to get information out, but as of the latest report from
the field, ForesTrade received word that several family members of PPKGO
have lost their lives in the earthquake, thirteen children are known to be
missing, and many others are still unaccounted for.
ForesTrade, PPKGO Mobilize Sumatra Relief Efforts
Submitted by tim
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