Jose Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), expressed extreme anger after seven of his volunteers were killed in an Israeli army airstrike while delivering humanitarian aid in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. The international community condemned the attack, and the Israeli army admitted to a “serious error”. WCK president Erin Gore called the attack on humanitarian organizations providing food in conflict zones unforgivable.
WCK’s mission is to respond quickly to emergency situations with food aid, whether caused by armed conflict or natural disasters. The organization has received international recognition for its work, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite not winning the prize, José Andrés remains committed to providing hope and assistance to those in need around the world.
Despite this tragedy, WCK has continued its operations and expanded into new areas. In recent years, WCK has become a key player in providing aid in conflict zones following controversies involving other humanitarian organizations. WCK has filled a void left by the suspension of funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) by many countries, including France. The organization continues to deliver meals and provide assistance to those in need, including in the Gaza Strip.
The volunteers who lost their lives were of various nationalities, including British, American, Polish, Australian, and Canadian. This is not the first time WCK members have been victims of conflicts; a volunteer was also killed in Ukraine in 2023. However, despite these challenges and risks involved in delivering aid in conflict zones, José Andrés and his team remain determined to provide essential support to communities facing crises.
