WCK on the ground after a 7.2 earthquake strikes Haiti
On August 14, southern Haiti was struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, claiming the lives of over 1,200 people and destroying more than 13,000 homes. Many more are injured as hospitals are overwhelmed and getting vital supplies to people in need is incredibly difficult, partially due to blocked roads. As the damage continues to be assessed, medical assistance, food and water, and sanitation are the top priority for first responders. WCK teams are on the ground now setting up relief efforts to get fresh meals to people in need.
WCK’s roots began in Haiti in 2010. In January of that year, the country was hit with an absolutely devastating earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands of people — and a decade later communities in Haiti are still recovering. Having seen the damage and urgent need for assistance in 2010, José flew to Haiti to see how he could support as a chef. Following this trip, José founded World Central Kitchen with the belief that food can be a positive agent of change for communities in need. After supporting with immediate relief efforts, José and WCK, as a brand new organization, began to think of how we could offer continued support with the goal of contributing to Haiti’s long-term resilience. From here, WCK’s first Resilience program began.
While José was helping following the 2010 earthquake, he could not ignore the health and environmental impacts open wood and coal fueled fires were having on families. In response, José began WCK’s Clean Cooking program to bring cleaner and safer cooking environments to communities across the country. Eventually, WCK connected with the Haitian Department of Education to help establish a cooking program to train young chefs for commercial kitchens in local restaurants, hotels, and more. After two years of working with the Department, WCK built and opened our own École des Chefs culinary school in Port-au-Prince in 2017. Led by one of Haiti’s most respected chefs, Mi-Sol Chevallier, the school graduates more than 40 students each year. This 5-month training program helps create a talented workforce for Haiti’s hospitality sector and still runs today.
In the last 10 years, Haiti has overcome natural disasters from the large 2010 earthquake to Hurricane Matthew in 2016. In more recent years, Haiti has seen increased political instability and civil unrest. And now, like all countries across the world, communities in Haiti are battling the coronavirus pandemic, making the current situation in hospitals even more challenging.
Due to WCK’s Resilience programs and strong network in the country, we were able to provide support within 24 hours of the earthquake this Saturday. While WCK staff in the U.S. were preparing to arrive, Chef Mi-Sol mobilized her culinary students to make sandwiches, chef’s salads, and croissants for first responders providing air ambulance support between Port-au-Prince and the affected regions.
On our first day of service this weekend, WCK delivered the meals they prepared along with water to members of Hero Ambulance and airport security who have been working nonstop since the earthquake hit. WCK culinary students at École des Chefs will continue to prepare meals for families in need and frontline heroes.
At 8pm yesterday, the third WCK crew arrived in Port-au-Prince on a JetBlue plane loaded with additional cooking equipment and packaging supplies. Immediately upon arrival, the Relief Team began working to scout kitchen and cooking needs, while also identifying how and where we will transport meals. Today WCK’s Anna and Sam joined a US Coast Guard flight to Jeremie and Les Cayes, two areas heavily impacted by the earthquake.
In addition to the École des Chefs kitchen, we have now set up an additional location for cooking in Port-au-Prince. For hot meals, locally sourced ingredients will be used to make traditional Haitian dishes, such as the chicken and vegetable stew over Haitian rice with beans prepared today. Jinimy—an Ecole des Chefs graduate from August 2020 and pictured below—is one of the many alum who has joined our relief operation in Haiti.
The Relief Team will be delivering meals to hospitals, emergency crews, and families impacted by the earthquake. To reach the affected areas in the south of Haiti, WCK will be transporting hot plates via helicopters or plane, whatever it takes. While making and delivering meals today, our team is also preparing contingency plans for nearby Tropical Depression Grace, which may pose some challenges due to mudslides and dangerous rainfall.
The Relief Team continues to refine our operations in Haiti as the situation evolves. WCK is committed to the Haitian community and will be here as long as we are needed. For the latest updates on our efforts, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Support our efforts here.
