Is World Central Kitchen in Turkey? Providing Vital Aid After the 2023 Earthquakes

World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a non-profit disaster relief organization that provides meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Founded by chef José Andrés in 2010, WCK has responded to disasters around the world, from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico to the Australian bushfires.

In February 2023, WCK deployed to Turkey after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southeastern part of the country. Over 17,000 people were killed in Turkey, with tens of thousands more killed in neighboring Syria. Entire cities were leveled, leaving millions homeless and in desperate need of aid.

WCK’s Early Earthquake Response Efforts in Turkey

Within hours of the quake, Andrés and the WCK team were on the ground in Turkey. They initially set up headquarters in Adana, as it was the first city Andrés reached after arriving in the country.

From Adana, WCK began serving hot, nutritious meals from their food trucks to survivors and first responders. As the immense scale of the destruction became apparent, WCK worked quickly to scale up operations

Just a few weeks later, WCK moved their Turkey operations center east to the city of Gaziantep. Located about 140 miles from Adana, Gaziantep provided better access to many of the hardest-hit communities.

Expanding Reach to Serve Quake Victims

From Gaziantep, WCK expanded to serve hot meals, fresh bread and other aid from mobile kitchens in over a dozen locations. This included major cities like Adana Antakya, and Kahramanmaraş near the epicenter.

WCK also reached isolated villages in the mountainous region of Nurdagi, where entire communities had been cut off. As roads were cleared, the WCK team drove their food trucks directly into these remote areas.

By early March, just over two weeks after the initial quake, WCK had served over one million meals to survivors across southeast Turkey. The scope of their operations was unprecedented – at one point, they were providing over 300,000 meals per day.

Providing Food and Comfort to Those in Need

For many survivors, a hot meal from WCK offered more than just physical nourishment. The familiar flavors and aromas provided a small sense of normalcy amid the devastation.

“When I smell the homemade meals from the World Central Kitchen trucks, it gives me hope,” shared one survivor staying at a shelter in Kahramanmaraş. “It feels like home, even just for a moment.”

In areas where entire neighborhoods were leveled, gathering for a shared WCK meal fostered community and lifted spirits. “Eating a warm meal together makes us feel human again,” said one man waiting in line with his family.

Adapting Operations As Needs Change

As the emergency response shifted to long-term recovery, WCK adapted its efforts in Turkey. They began distributing fresh ingredients along with meals so families could cook for themselves.

WCK also partnered with local restaurants to provide economic support and empower communities to regain self-sufficiency. With WCK handling logistics and sourcing, restaurants could focus on food preparation and getting back to business.

Two months after the initial quake, WCK was still serving over 140,000 meals per day across Turkey. However, the focus turned to reaching those in temporary shelters and remote villages with continuing needs.

Honoring WCK Volunteers Who Lost Their Lives

Tragically, the WCK team was not immune to the earthquake’s devastation. In early March, two volunteers were killed when a building collapsed during an aftershock in Antakya.

Ibrahim and Mustafa had joined WCK’s relief efforts just days earlier. Their passion to help others cost them their lives. WCK honored their sacrifice, while reinforcing their commitment to continue providing vital aid.

By early April, WCK had served an astonishing 32 million meals to Turkey quake victims. Their ability to quickly mobilize staff and resources saved countless lives.

WCK’s Legacy of Disaster Response

While the Turkey earthquake response has been WCK’s largest operation to date, it continues the organization’s legacy of helping communities in crisis.

Some key WCK disaster relief efforts include:

• Haiti (2010) – Fed over 4 million meals after a devastating earthquake
• Puerto Rico (2017) – Provided over 3.5 million meals following Hurricane Maria
• Bahamas (2019) – Mobilized food relief after Hurricane Dorian destroyed parts of the islands
• Australia (2020) – Cooked meals for bushfire victims and first responders

Wherever hunger and hardship strike, WCK works tirelessly to provide food, comfort, and hope. Ten years after its founding, the organization has evolved into a global force for humanitarian aid.

WCK’s Ongoing Presence Providing Long-Term Support

While news headlines have faded, WCK continues serving in Turkey months after the initial quakes. They are still providing over 50,000 meals per day to those living in temporary shelters or damaged homes.

WCK has also partnered with local organizations on long-term recovery projects. This includes constructing community kitchens and establishing food truck routes in remote villages.

Their sustained presence is ensuring Turkey quake victims receive support through their long journey to rebuild. WCK’s nimble and volunteer-powered model allows them to assist communities from immediate crisis through recovery.

So is World Central Kitchen currently in Turkey? Absolutely. While the scale of their initial emergency response was unprecedented, their commitment has not wavered. WCK continues adapting to fill gaps and address evolving needs on the ground.

From chefs to food truck drivers to volunteers handing out meals, WCK’s people are still hard at work feeding Turkey’s earthquake victims. Their presence is a reminder that even as the world’s attention moves on, the recovery is only just beginning.