circleWorld Central Kitchen (WCK), a hunger-eliminating nonprofit founded in 2010 by celebrity chef José Andrés, experienced its most tragic moment on April 1. Seven aid workers, including American, Canadian, British, Australian, Polish and Palestinian team members, were killed in an Israel Defense Forces attack on Gaza. The organization and its partners have provided more than 46 million meals in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. Amid the threat of hunger, WCK worked to open a sea corridor to the exclave, partnering with the United Arab Emirates and Spanish NGO Open Arms to deliver hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid. The organization's ship in March was the first to arrive at Gaza port in nearly 20 years, and according to the organization, it is responsible for about 60% of the NGO-provided humanitarian aid to the war-torn region. The April incident drew international condemnation from President Joe Biden and world leaders. “I am outraged and heartbroken,” Biden said in a statement. On April 25, dignitaries from more than 30 countries attended a memorial service for WCK victims in Washington, DC. Four days later, WCK resumed operations in Gaza. It also continues to work in Ukraine, another conflict zone. Since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, WCK has served more than 260 million meals. “Time and again, we see the best of humanity emerge in the worst of times,” says CEO Erin Gore.
