WCK activates #ChefsForAlbania following 6.4-magnitude earthquake
In the early morning hours on November 26, Albania experienced the largest and deadliest earthquake to strike the country in more than 40 years, with a magnitude of 6.4. The earthquake, along with more than a thousand aftershocks, caused widespread devastation and displaced several thousand people. WCK’s Relief Team quickly started monitoring the situation and connected with Tirana-based chef Bledar Kola to understand the need on the ground. Our team landed days after and is now working closely with Chef Bledar and other local chefs and members of the community to provide meals to those who have lost so much.
When we arrived on the ground in Thumane, a village 30km north of the country’s capital, we began working with the RRNO Foundation to prepare meals for affected families. Now, we are operating two kitchens — one in the village of Bubq and one in the village of Peza. Additionally, our chefs are supporting a local church that has been feeding the small community of Vlashaj.
The area affected by the earthquakes is full of small towns and villages with a few dozen families each, many of whom have been displaced. One location we are serving is the 16 Shtatori School. Many of the students at this K-12 school lost their homes in the earthquake, so we are here to give them a warm, comforting meal — served with fresh fruit of course! After we serve lunch to the kids, we make a second delivery of food packaged to go for the children to take home to their families.
Our Relief Team on the ground is continuing to expand efforts, so stay tuned for more to come. For real-time updates, please follow WCK on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can support our efforts here.
