World Central Kitchen teams distribute meals to communities in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck just 39 seconds apart in the northern state of La Guaira on June 24.
World Central Kitchen
In La Guaira, rescue operations temporarily halted as teams searched for survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. Bulldozers stilled as volunteers rang out for anyone still underground, creating moments of tense silence in the disaster zone.
Olivier “Chef Oli” de Belleroche, World Central Kitchen’s culinary manager for Europe, described these pauses as emotionally taxing. “Everyone stops,” he recalled. “When someone calls, ‘If alive, knock three times,’ we become eerily silent, listening for any response.”
Five days post-earthquakes, rescue efforts faced diminishing odds of finding survivors, yet families remained vigilant outside rubble. Over 1,700 deaths, 5,000 injuries, and 16,000 displaced were confirmed by June 29, with millions more at risk according to UN estimates.
Addressing Immediate Needs
Beyond search and rescue, food access emerged as a critical need. Displaced residents gathered in schools, parks, and temporary camps. Workers endured 12-hour shifts in extreme heat without breaks, while survivors camped beside unstable structures awaiting news.
World Central Kitchen (WCK) rapidly activated existing networks, leveraging prior experience from Venezuela’s migrant crisis and responses to Hurricanes Julia and Beryl. By June 25 morning, sandwiches were already being distributed from mobile kitchens.
A man waits in a makeshift tent at the Caraballeda relief center after his La Guaira home collapsed. (Photo by Javier Campos/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
NurPhoto via Getty Images
Local Collaboration First
Local restaurant partners and volunteers had already prepared meals before international teams arrived. WCK leveraged its Venezuela network to distribute approximately 10,000 daily meals, offering both hot dishes and ready-to-eat options like arepas, sandwiches, and national specialties.
Rêverie, a Caracas seafood restaurant, supplied hot meals for rescue crews, while sourdough bakery Madre Masa delivered food to Aria de Aroa in Falcón. The organization expects to increase capacity to 20,000-30,000 meals daily as new kitchen facilities activate.
International support included a $1 million pledge from Andrés through Long Tables Fund and $60,000 from Hard Rock International via Hard Rock Bet. Hard Rock Cafe Caracas contributes 1,000 daily meals through its facilities.
Cultural Food as Comfort
WCK’s success relies on serving familiar cuisine. “We don’t send outside chefs,” de Belleroche explained. “We collaborate with local culinary experts to prepare traditional dishes that resonate with affected communities.”
This approach has been central since WCK’s founding after the 2010 Haiti quake. By cooking local favorites, the organization not only provides nutrition but also cultural comfort.
WCK partner Rêverie prepares hot meals for distribution in Caracas.
World Central Kitchen
As needs evolved, operations adapted – from coastal distribution points to a newly established kitchen near La Guaira. At José María Vargas Stadium shelter, population surged from 1,200 to 1,750 in a day, requiring rapid food redistribution.
“We feed everyone without selectivity,” de Belleroche emphasized. “Meals go to responders, hospital staff, and families amidst ruins. At rescue sites, we also provide water and ice in the heat.”
Food as Emotional Support
Beyond nourishment, meals represent hope. Chef Oli noted, “A meal is socializing, listening, giving hope.” This philosophy was demonstrated when WCK partner Andrés shared a video of rescue worker Jeremy Vargas eating an arepa post-shift, symbolizing relief and care.
De Belleroche recalled a La Guaira shelter encounter where a mother searching for four missing children paused to discuss her trauma. “We stopped our tasks to listen,” he shared. “Sometimes comfort matters more than food.”
With recovery projected to take weeks, WCK anticipates sustained operations. “We know when we arrive, but never when we leave,” de Belleroche said. “For now, it’s not likely to be less than a month.”
As larger aid organizations scale up, WCK’s emergency role will transition. However, food demand remains acute. Venezuela’s pre-existing challenges—economic collapse, strained services—mean meals offer not just sustenance but dignity and temporary normalcy in chaos.
