Bertha arrives before dawn every morning at a WCK community kitchen in Haiti, where she coordinates the distribution of meals for families displaced by violence. She is one of approximately 450 local staff members who show up every single day—not just to cook, but to tell their neighbors: you are not forgotten, and you are not alone.

A Crisis Deepening by the Day

The Artibonite department is experiencing some of the worst violence in recent memory. Since May 2026, armed attacks have intensified and displacement in the region has surged once more. An estimated 1.4 million people have been displaced nationwide, approaching the scale seen in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. The crisis is expanding across the Artibonite department, worsening already acute food insecurity.

The situation is compounded by rising global food and fuel costs—driven in part by disruptions such as the conflict in Iran, which is pushing up energy and fertilizer prices. In places like Haiti, where families are already living day to day, even small price increases translate into immediate consequences for people already on the brink.

What 10 Million Meals Looks Like

Ten million meals didn’t happen by accident. It happened because approximately 450 local team members arrive before dawn every day to light stoves, sort rice and beans, chop vegetables, and cook for their neighbors. It happened because of 26 community kitchens operating across the Artibonite region, serving approximately 40,000 meals daily using ingredients sourced from local farmers, butchers, and distributors.

WCK operates community kitchens on the HAS campus, in displacement camps, and in surrounding communities—creating local employment while providing a critical source of daily stability for families who have nowhere else to turn. Every team member working in WCK’s Haiti kitchens is earning a livelihood while serving their community with pride. This is always part of WCK’s mission.

Why This Work Matters

WCK founder Chef José Andrés reflects on what this milestone means:

“Haiti is where World Central Kitchen was born. Sixteen years ago, in the aftermath of the earthquake, we learned that a hot meal can bring hope in the darkest moments. Today, as hunger deepens again, we cannot turn our backs—because Haiti is not just where we started, it’s part of who we are.”

The Road Ahead

Violence across Artibonite remains widespread and unpredictable, limiting access to the people who need support most. Rising fuel costs continue to drive up the cost of delivering food. Despite these obstacles, WCK’s teams have not stood down. Every morning at 5:00 a.m., the stoves are lit. The meals keep coming. And WCK remains unwavering in its commitment to the people of Haiti—one meal, one kitchen, one community at a time.