In a recent interview with Mexican media outlet Milenio, Spanish chef José Andrés shares his vision of humanitarian aid and the importance of food in times of crisis, whether natural disasters or armed conflicts. The Spanish chef, known for his work through his organization World Central Kitchen (WCK), emphasizes the need to send humanitarian aid to these areas and highlights how the willingness of human beings to help transcends borders: “People’s desire to help others in difficult times is enormous.
That human need to help, the chief says, brought him and his WCK team to Gaza last spring. An Israeli attack killed seven of his employees on April 1 of this year as they were distributing food and meals in the central Gaza Strip. The dead were from Australia, Poland, the United Kingdom, Palestine, and held dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. The organization halted its humanitarian operations in the enclave and claimed they were attacked while traveling in several vehicles bearing the NGO’s logo, coordinating their movements with the Israeli military in a “non-conflict” zone.
“It was the first time in 23 years that a ship arrived on the beaches of Gaza and we did it very successfully. Everything was going very well until this happened. War makes no sense, it makes no sense that a leader makes millions of Palestinians pay for the terrorist attack of a few,” the leader said.
Through WCK, José Andrés has led initiatives during disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and war conflicts, and has brought hot meals to hundreds of people at a time when distribution systems were paralyzed. “When there is a disaster, distribution systems often stop. There is no electricity, there is no water. Restaurants and supermarkets close. Large food chains collapse; you need a group that comes in and starts the whole process quickly because that is the time when people need it,” he explains in the interview with Mexican media. The chef recalls that his team managed to collect and prepare a million meals during the war in Ukraine, reorganizing food delivery in a country that, despite being a major food exporter, faces great logistical challenges due to the war.
The chef also emphasizes the importance of preparing for possible global food crises. “If we are not careful and countries do not prepare, one day, when it seems like there is food for everyone, we will wake up and there will not be enough,” he warns. José Andrés emphasizes that in the event of a disaster or conflict, it is essential to respond quickly to guarantee food, which requires the active participation of all. The chef also invites anyone interested to join WCK’s efforts.
