WCK exploring every avenue to get food into Gaza
In Cyprus
World Central Kitchen has mobilized to Cyprus to join efforts to open a maritime route to ship desperately-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. We are working closely together with the United Arab Emirates, NGO partner Open Arms, and the international community to ensure supply boats set sail as soon as possible.
WCK and our founder and Chief Feeding Officer José Andrés have been tirelessly pushing to establish faster, more reliable entry for food aid going to Palestinian families in Gaza. “We’ve done more than 32 million meals, but that’s only a drop of water in the ocean,” said José. “Especially in the north of Gaza.”
“Put simply, the maritime project involves procuring food in Cyprus,” explained Zomi, WCK’s response co-lead. “Then loading these on the Open Arms boat, which will sail to northern Gaza, where meals are needed the most.” This is a logistically complex operation that demonstrates how WCK teams are constantly innovating to reach as many Palestinians in need as possible.
We’ve done more than 32 million meals, but that’s only a drop of water in the ocean. Especially in the north of Gaza.
José Andrés
WCK Founder & Chief Feeding Officer
In Deir al-Balah
WCK has opened a Welcome Center for displaced Palestinians fleeing by foot from northern Gaza in search of safety further south. People crossing the Israeli military checkpoint in the city of Deir al-Balah are now being greeted by WCK’s team with hot meals and food kits. We have also invited multi-sector engagement for services like medical care to ensure families get the urgent support they require. Currently, about 500 people each day are allowed to cross this checkpoint that divides northern and southern Gaza.
On our first day of service at the Welcome Center, WCK’s response co-leader, Mounia, witnessed the powerful impact of this support for people passing through. “I saw a lot of smiles leaving with the food kits and leaving with a lighter heart,” she said. Mounia is working with our team inside Gaza to help get food to communities on the brink of famine.
I saw a lot of smiles leaving with the food kits and leaving with a lighter heart.
Mounia
WCK Middle East Response Co-lead
Just a few blocks away from the Welcome Center in Deir al-Balah, WCK staff are working hard to get a second full-scale Relief Kitchen built and operational. We are rapidly outfitting the space with the equipment needed to run a successful, safe food production area. Our Culinary Team estimates they will be able to produce 70,000 hot meals each day from this new location. “We are working with all energy and effort to prepare the kitchen and try to complete it as soon as possible,” said Mohamed, a team member supervising the project.
We are working with all energy and effort to prepare the kitchen and try to complete it as soon as possible.
Mohamed
Project Supervisor
In Rafah
Meanwhile, WCK teams keep innovating in our Rafah kitchen, where there are now dozens of water tanks, carefully arranged hoses, and constantly whirring filtration systems. These new installations are producing the water our kitchen relies on to cook, making sure it is clean and safe to use. Ahmed is a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) expert who has been integral in getting this complex system up and running. Thanks to his work, the WCK kitchen has enough purified water to safely produce at least 50,000 meals every day, with the capacity to scale up quickly as more water tanks are installed.
Across southern Gaza, more than 60 WCK-supported Community Kitchens continue cooking tens of thousands of meals daily. Palestinians like Iyad, one of the many kitchen managers, are making this work possible. “We hope, God willing, that we can live up to the expectations of our people, that we fulfill our mission, and always be the ones trying to put a smile on people’s faces,” he said. He also brought up something that is on many minds right now: “We are on the threshold of the holy month of Ramadan,” he said. “Ramadan is a month when we need all the support we can get.”
In Egypt
“We’re going the extra mile to create menus and ready to eat kits for Ramadan,” said Zomi. “Our culinary and procurement teams have done extensive research and development to source the highest quality, culturally appropriate items.” It still takes a long time for food to get from Egypt into Gaza, so the trucks carrying these supplies are already waiting in the queue at the border checkpoint. Our teams are preparing to distribute 92,000 Ramadan food boxes, the equivalent of 4.7 million meals. Learn more about these efforts here.
We’re going the extra mile to create menus and ready to eat kits for Ramadan.
Zomi
WCK Middle East Response Co-lead
José joined the National Press Club for a fireside chat to discuss our ongoing work around the world and to stress the importance of opening all avenues for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Watch the full recording here.
