In late November, torrential rains of unprecedented scale inundated the Sumatra provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra due to Cyclon Senyar. As of today, there are more than 800 confirmed deaths and many more unaccounted for; tens of thousands of people are displaced, and hundreds of thousands are hungry. Widespread flooding and landslides have severed road access, electricity, and communication.

The coffee-growing districts of Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah, which produce a majority of the Sumatra arabica crop, are now isolated. The roads and bridges that connect the supply chain are severely damaged in dozens of locations. The main harvest is underway, and this disaster has erased a critical period of income for these farmers. Food is running out, and an urgent relief effort is needed.

Chartered flights are currently the only way into the region, and from the airstrip our team — who has valiantly remained — will help coordinate the delivery of food to farming communities in our network. If we meet our target of CHF26000, this will be enough to deliver rice and salted fish to sustain 1,400 people for two weeks. Sucafina has already sent in one flight, and another is scheduled. Your contribution will greatly help support this effort to bring relief to the Gayo people.