The World Central Kitchen aid agency is gearing up for its first sea shipment of humanitarian relief to Gaza, with food aid set to depart from Cyprus by Saturday, weather permitting. This initiative, described as a “pilot project” for a maritime aid corridor to Gaza by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union’s executive body, aims to provide much-needed support to the people of Gaza.
Renowned Spanish chef José Andrés, founder of the World Central Kitchen, shared images on social media showing pallets being loaded onto a vessel for the shipment. The plans are said to be in the final stages, with the aid expected to reach Gaza’s beaches with 200 pallets. However, the logistics of how the aid will be collected and distributed in Gaza remain unclear.
The World Central Kitchen has been actively involved in providing meals in Gaza, serving over 32 million meals since October. With support from the U.S. military’s plans to build a floating pier for aid delivery and commitments from countries like Britain and the European Union to establish a maritime corridor, the organization aims to expand its efforts in Gaza.
In an interview, José Andrés expressed the importance of providing food aid to the people of Gaza, stating, “We’re trying to do the impossible. It’s worth trying the impossible to feed the people of Gaza.” The organization currently operates 65 community kitchens in Gaza, managed by local Palestinians, with plans to add more in the future. Despite challenges in delivering aid to Gaza, including resorting to airdrops with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, the World Central Kitchen remains committed to its mission of providing meals to those in need.
