ICYMI: WCK opens a field kitchen in Venezuela to expand earthquake response by 30,000 daily meals
Updated as of July 7, 2026 5:17 EST
World Central Kitchen is a global nonprofit providing nourishing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. When disaster strikes, our Relief Team is first to the frontlines providing meals when they're needed most.
We’re currently on the ground in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck in late June. The first earthquake struck at a 7.2 magnitude, with the second 7.5 magnitude earthquake compounding damage less than a minute later. The quakes made buildings sway, collapsing several across the city, with residents evacuating into the streets in search of safety. At least 2,600 people have died, with thousands more missing and injured as search and rescue efforts are underway.
Working alongside 42 local restaurant partners across Miranda (Caracas), La Guaira, and Carabobo, WCK is reaching communities in the hardest-hit areas through 64 distribution sites. Our teams are serving hot meals, sandwiches, arepas, hot dogs, burgers, water, and ice, while expanding food truck operations and increasing daily meal production.
We’re now significantly expanding our earthquake response with the launch of a new large-capacity kitchen and operational hub designed to produce up to 30,000 fresh meals per day for families affected by the devastating earthquakes of June 24.
Located near the communities hardest hit in La Guaira, the new field kitchen began operations on Thursday, July 2, and is scaling up production each day. The site includes kitchen and logistics facilities and is supported by dozens of local workers and volunteers whose efforts are helping strengthen WCK’s response on the ground.
The goal of the new kitchen is to bring large-scale meal production closer to affected families, with the capacity to produce 30,000 meals per day. At the same time, WCK’s network of restaurant partners in Caracas and surrounding areas continues to play a vital role, preparing culturally appropriate meals and ensuring sustained coverage throughout the capital and neighboring communities.
In addition to meal service, WCK is providing water, ice, and other essential items to families facing prolonged power outages and extreme temperatures. We have also established meal distributions at shelters, hospitals, and the Caracas morgue, where families continue to gather as they await news of missing loved ones.
As recovery efforts continue, WCK remains committed to adapting and expanding operations to ensure affected families, emergency responders, and frontline workers have reliable access to fresh meals delivered with urgency, dignity, and care. To get the latest on the ground in Venezuela, sign up here.
Posted Jul 10, 2026, 7:34 PM UTC · locked