Workers and their families on two Fairtrade certified tea estates in the Darjeeling region of India are among the thousands who have been devastated by tropical cyclone Aila that hit the area on 25-26 May 2009. Arriving at the height of the tea picking season, an estimated 28 people in the region lost their lives in the storms.  Major damage has been caused to homes, roads, communications and services.

Makaibari Tea Estate

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Makaibari, the first bio dynamic and organic tea estate in Darjeeling, which has lead the way in promoting sustainable permaculture, was severley affected. An estimated 20% of the housing on the estate has been affected from roof destruction to total collapse.  

Find out more about Makaibari. 

Mineral Spring Tea Estate

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Make shift camps have been set up in community buildings and schools to shelter the 46 families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.  Harvesting resumed a week after the devastation but many of the roads used to transport the tea have been washed away by landslides.  

How you can help

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Hampstead Tea, a Fairtrade tea licensee, is collecting money for Makaibari Tea Estate which supplies them.
Donations will be given to a local NGO, Jeevika which is co-ordinating relief.
An estimated £200,000 is needed for the following work:

• Food, clothes, blankets and utensils for families living in the temporary shelters
• Repairs and restoration of houses
• Road repairs
• Restoration of water and electricity supply
  

Donate here

Equal Exchange, a Fairtrade licensee, is also collecting donations for Mineral Spring Tea Estate. 
The community has an immediate requirement of £200,000 to rebuild 25 houses, repair another 10 and provide emergency food and utensils for the 46 displaced families.

Donate here