(Bloomberg) -- As the war in Ukraine intensifies, World Central Kitchen is expanding its efforts to feed thousands of fleeing refugees.
Within hours of Russia's invasion on Feb. 25, the nonprofit disaster-relief organization co-founded by chef José Andrés started dishing out food. World Central Kitchen has now established kitchens at eight of Ukraine's border crossings with Poland, and has created meal distribution centers in six countries including Romania and Hungary. In Poland alone, says Director of Communications Strategy Lisa Abrego, WCK has served more than 37,000 hot meals including chicken and rice and pasta; the total was nearing 45,000 late on Tuesday. Everyone from fire fighters to nuns has pitched in to help cook and serve food.
“There are many ways to fight. Some people fight making sure people are fed,” said Andrés via email. “Those are our people, and we will be supporting them.” The chef was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and has pledged a portion of his $100 million award from Jeff Bezos to address the current crisis.
Inside Ukraine, WCK has partnered with local restaurants to feed people who have chosen not to flee. The organization will expand its work in the country as more shelters are established.
“We anticipate this becoming one of our largest emergency responses to date,” says Abrego. Following Hurricane Maria's strike on Puerto Rico in 2017, WCK served 3 million meals, about 75% of them hot, across the island. Rather than cold meals or MREs (meals ready to eat), the organization focuses on the dignity inherent in eating a home-cooked meal—and taking immediate action.
The following are scenes of WCK's far-ranging team in action since the invasion began.
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