Celebrity chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen nonprofit have sent aid to Gaza, shipping almost 200 tons of food this week to Palestinians. The organization shipped the food from Cyprus on the Open Arms ship, which belongs to a Spanish nonprofit that helps vulnerable people in emergency situations.
Who is José Andrés?
Andrés, 54, is a Spanish-born chef who moved to the U.S. years ago to work in restaurants in New York City and Washington, D.C. He helped open several restaurants in the nation's capitol and then created his own restaurants around the country, including Nubeluz, in New York City, and Jaleo by José Andrés, with locations in Washington, D.C., Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago and Dubai.
While working in D.C., Andrés volunteered at DC Central Kitchen, which repurposes food in the city to provide for those in need. This sparked his interest in philanthropy, and he founded World Central Kitchen in 2010. Its first mission was delivering food to Haiti.
What is World Central Kitchen?
World Central Kitchen mobilizes first responders to bring meals to people affected by natural disasters, crises, and humanitarian emergencies around the globe.
Providing Meals in Times of Crisis
Emphasizing quick action, utilizing local resources, and adapting on the fly, a certain organization understands that a meal during a crisis represents more than just sustenance — it embodies hope, dignity, and a reminder that someone cares, as stated on their website.
Having recently dispatched food to conflict-ridden Ukraine, wildfire-affected Texas, and earthquake-hit Japan, the group also distributed meals to children studying from home, frontline workers, and vulnerable seniors amidst the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, the organization boasts a "Chef Corps" comprising chefs who leverage their local networks to facilitate food delivery during crises in their regions.
In a notable event in April 2022, the team, led by Andrés, was actively serving meals from a restaurant in Kharkiv, Ukraine, marking their inaugural operation in a war-torn zone.
Despite encountering injuries to four team members due to a nearby Russian missile strike, the group's resolve remained unshaken. Andrés recounted the aftermath, stating, "What transpired in the ensuing hours was nothing short of extraordinary." He shared with "CBS Sunday Morning" correspondent Tracy Smith, "When the restaurant owner inquired the team's preference, they unanimously expressed their desire to continue cooking and fighting."
Having delivered over 60 million meals to those in dire need, the organization continues its impactful humanitarian efforts.
Gaza aid shipments
The U.N. has issued a warning regarding the imminent risk of famine in Gaza, a narrow strip of land bordered by Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean, home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. Due to closed borders and ongoing conflict, an estimated 1.7 million individuals in Gaza have been displaced as of January 20, according to the United Nations, with many lacking access to essential resources such as food, water, medicine, and suitable shelter.
Malnutrition and dehydration are increasingly prevalent in the midst of the humanitarian crisis.
President Biden, in his recent State of the Union address, announced that the U.S. military will assist in establishing a temporary port on the Gaza coast to facilitate the inflow of humanitarian assistance into the region.
Collaborating with the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus, World Central Kitchen has initiated a corridor for the Open Arms ship to transport food to Gaza. The organization has gathered 500 tons of food, currently situated in Cyprus, comprising rice, flour, canned vegetables, protein, and legumes.
Termed "Operation Safeena," meaning boat or vessel in Arabic, a spokesperson for World Central Kitchen informed CBS News about their mission.
The initial World Central Kitchen vessel departed from Cyprus on Wednesday and was positioned just off the Gaza coast by Friday, as per the representative. The shipment includes adequate food supplies for nearly half a million meals.
Preparations are underway for a second trip to Gaza, with approximately 300 tons of humanitarian food aid being readied.
Following a recent violent incident on Oct. 7, which led to a terror attack in Israel and sparked a conflict, Hamas has been actively providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. The organization has reported sending over 37 million meals and 1,500 trucks to Gaza, in addition to establishing more than 60 community kitchens in the region.
In a remarkable effort, Hamas conducted food airdrops from a Royal Jordanian Air Force cargo plane, resulting in the delivery of 150,000 meals to Palestinians in Gaza. Moreover, they have extended their support by providing 5,000 meals to displaced families in Lebanon affected by the conflict.
Notably, the United States has also joined the humanitarian efforts by initiating aid airdrops into Gaza. Furthermore, countries like Egypt, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium have contributed by sending aid as well.
