The World Central Kitchen aid agency is gearing up to send its first sea shipment of humanitarian relief to Gaza, with food aid set to depart from Cyprus in the coming days. European Union officials have confirmed that the shipment, organized by renowned chef José Andrés, is a pilot project for a maritime aid corridor to Gaza.
José Andrés, the founder of the World Central Kitchen, shared images on social media showing pallets being loaded onto a vessel marked with the names of his group and the Spanish aid organization Open Arms. The plans for the shipment are said to be in the final stages, with 200 pallets of food aid destined for the beaches of Gaza.
Since October, the World Central Kitchen has served over 32 million meals in Gaza, with plans to expand their efforts with the help of a floating pier being built by the U.S. military. This pier will provide critical access to a steady supply of food, allowing the organization to double the number of meals served daily and reach more people in need.
Mr. Andrés expressed his determination to “do the impossible” in order to feed the people of Gaza, highlighting the challenges of getting food and aid into the territory. The World Central Kitchen has established 65 community kitchens in Gaza, managed by local Palestinians, with plans to add more in the future.
Despite the difficulties, Mr. Andrés remains committed to his mission, stating that the organization has even resorted to airdrops with the Royal Jordanian Air Force to provide aid. With the support of the European Union and other nations, the World Central Kitchen is hopeful that their efforts will make a significant impact in Gaza.
