World Central Kitchen (WCK), the hunger relief organisation started by celebrity chef José Andres, has shared an update on their first project with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Foundation.
You might remember the two organisations announced last year they’d be teaming up to construct four Community Relief Centres in regions of the world prone to climate disasters. And yes, they’ve just finished building their first one!
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Their plan? To use them as emergency response kitchens when hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and fires hit. And if there aren’t any disasters happening, then they’ll be used as food distribution areas for schools, families and communities in need.
This first one is located in Dominica in the Caribbean which has been repeatedly hit by hurricanes in the last few years:
Photo by ComposedPix/Shutterstock.com
“In 2015, Hurricane Erika destroyed hundreds of homes and caused extensive damage, followed in 2017 by back-to-back horrors of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, the latter of which brought 160mph winds and destroyed over 90% of the island’s infrastructure,” a post on WCK’s website reads.
“As a result of these crippling disasters, Dominica made a vow to become the world’s first climate resilient nation. Our work, which is driven by a commitment to climate resilience, is perfectly suited for supporting the island’s ambitious goals.”
With The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s nonprofit Archewell Foundation, WCK is developing Community Relief Centers in areas of the world prone to climate disasters. The first Center in Dominica is complete & will also serve as a school kitchen! Read more: https://t.co/Ilx5x26C8D pic.twitter.com/mc6Dg0VIR0
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) February 24, 2021
The relief centre works with local non-profit group the Resilient Dominica Project and is located on the site of a new Primary School which was built to be a safe shelter against future hurricanes. Plus all the kitchen equipment including fridges and freezers work using solar power.
“From this Community Relief Centre, we anticipate being able to prepare thousands of meals per day in the direct aftermath of any future storm.”
WCK and Archewell’s second centre will be constructed in Puerto Rico.
They haven’t announced the locations of the third and fourth centres just yet.
(Feature Image Credit: courtesy World Central Kitchen)