In May 2021, Daily Coffee News reported on the humanitarian crisis following the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo near Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced as lava, earthquakes, and the threat of further eruptions affected communities throughout a region that has become increasingly important to Congo’s specialty coffee industry.

The article features Higher Grounds founder Chris Treter, who was in constant contact with partners in Goma and the nearby coffee-growing town of Minova, where On the Ground staff were providing aid to displaced families. With support from Higher Grounds and other founding coffee partners, On the Ground launched an emergency relief campaign to provide basic necessities and assistance to refugees arriving in the region. The coverage demonstrates how Higher Grounds’ long-standing relationships in Congo extend beyond purchasing coffee to supporting partner communities during times of crisis