WCK distributes meals in communities where food systems are disrupted by war and other disasters, including Gaza and Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hosted a briefing with World Central Kitchen (WCK) Founder and Chef José Andrés on Capitol Hill to discuss the critical need to get food into Gaza, Ukraine, Haiti, and other communities where food systems are disrupted by conflict or natural disasters and there is widespread hunger and disease. The discussion focused on WCK’s innovative, lifesaving work to combat famine around the globe by partnering with local organizations and community leaders to deliver meals, food kits, and supplies to people in need.
Since October 7th, WCK has served more than 34 million meals to communities across Gaza, Israel, and Lebanon. In Gaza, WCK developed and built clean burning stoves for more than 60 community kitchens and is conducting the first aid delivery by sea in nearly two decades to help alleviate catastrophic hunger currently facing over half a million Gazans.
“The malnutrition crisis in Gaza is among the worst in the world. I’m inspired by the innovative work humanitarian aid organizations like World Central Kitchen have done to effectively operate on the ground in Gaza, Ukraine, and even in Vermont to provide fresh meals to hungry people. It was a privilege to host WCK Founder and Chef Andrés on Capitol Hill today to hear what needs to be done to support international and humanitarian organizations’ ability to deliver lifesaving aid and ensure the safety of aid workers risking their lives on the frontlines,” said Senator Welch.
“Whether it’s in Gaza, Ukraine, or Haiti, the American people have long believed in our moral obligation to feed hungry people. Doing so helps promote stability and reduce the risks of conflict and radicalization. I’m proud that my friend José Andrés could join this briefing to discuss the critical work that World Central Kitchen is doing in Gaza and around the world to provide meals to people facing starvation, and to remind us of the importance of continued American leadership in combatting food insecurity and preventing famine,” said Senator Coons.
Senators attending the briefing were given the opportunity to ask Chef Andrés and the WCK team about their experience in Gaza, Cyprus, Ukraine, Haiti, and other communities where WCK is delivering food and other humanitarian aid. The Senators spoke via video call with an aid worker in Cyprus, saw videos and photos of aid delivery and a clean burning stove which is used in communities where food systems are disrupted by war or natural disasters.
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