On Friday, Sept. 8, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the High Altas mountain range in Morocco with its epicenter approximately 45 miles southwest of Marrakech, a city home to around 840,000 people.
In less than 24 hours, World Central Kitchen (WCK) mobilized resources to help those impacted.
WCK, which is headquartered in DC, prides itself on being the “first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.”
Founded by the world-renowned restauranter José Andrés in 2010, WCK has been providing emergency meals all over the world to places such as Ukraine, Chile, Greece, Hawaii, Syria, Pakistan, and Panama.
According to their website, WCK arrived in Marrakech soon after and began using helicopters and 4×4 vehicles to locate the hardest-hit areas in the region.
Starting out by distributing sandwiches, fruit, and water to those in need, WCK’s efforts have been complicated by landslides and aftershocks that have rendered some areas ultimately unreachable at this point.
UPDATE from Morocco 🎥 WCK is spreading out to distribute food & water to as many communities as we can reach by road. Many areas are still inaccessible due to landslides & it’s too windy for helicopter use—but as soon as it’s safe to do so, we’ll fly in support. #ChefsForMorocco pic.twitter.com/CkLtmkwzKP
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) September 10, 2023
To combat those setbacks, WCK has begun using helicopters to drop off food to those hard-to-reach communities. After dropping off food and supplies, those same helicopters have been able to bring back injured survivors to camps where they can be tended to by doctors.
Whatever it takes, @WCKitchen is getting meals to communities! Many places isolated from damage so we use helicopters & also bring in doctors. After dropping food we can take people back with us…today we evacuated 8 people..injured, elderly & a pregnant woman. #ChefsForMorocco pic.twitter.com/cAzncxr0LF
— Chef José Andrés 🕊️🥘🍳 (@chefjoseandres) September 11, 2023
WCK is currently mobilizing its team in Spain to drive multiple food trucks and kitchen equipment to cook fresh meals as soon as the roads are clear enough to do so.
According to CNN, approximately 2500 people are believed to have been killed and another 2500 injured as a result of the earthquake as rescue teams are scrambling to locate survivors.
Those willing to donate to help those in need in Morocco can do so on WCK’s website.
Featured photo courtesy World Central Kitchen
