Jeff Bezos co-funds $ 1 billion climate fund

The non-governmental organization “World Central Kitchen” helps to feed those affected after disasters by setting up field kitchens, stocking them with food and providing cooks. A new fund with a volume of one billion dollars is now intended to enable the non-profit organization to respond to environmental crises around the world. This could be both immediate disaster relief and longer-term solutions, explains founder José Andrés. The funds are to be distributed over the next decade.

“This is a fight so that hungry people can eat,” founder José Andrés said in a statement. “We cannot wait for more promises from world leaders. We need the relentless urgency of the now ”.

The fund’s first action, coinciding with the UN climate change conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, is to provide $ 50 million to feed people affected by extreme weather conditions. An indefinite part of this money comes from the $ 100 million “Courage and Civility Award” that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos presented to Andrés.

“It is the culmination of all of our efforts to be on the front lines of these disasters and see them get bigger and bigger,” said Nate Mook, head of the NGO Bloomberg. Most disasters are now the result of extreme weather conditions, he added. “Since September 25, 2017, when we went to Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria, we’ve been cooking somewhere in the world every day.”

In 2020, World Central Kitchen spent well over $ 250 million on food for people after disasters. The effects of the corona pandemic also played a role for the first time. Therefore, a billion dollars is a large number, Mook said. In view of the size of the problem, however, it is not much more than a drop in the ocean.

The climate disaster fund should therefore not be converted directly into food, but used to set up aid structures. One of them is building an army of climate first responders to learn how to act in local emergencies. This also includes a special cooking class. In regions disproportionately affected by disasters, World Central Kitchen aims to expand its network of food producers by helping local businesses with grants, training and easier market access.

In addition, the development of “Community Relief Centers” is to be continued. This is a collaboration with the Archewell Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Among other things, “Community Relief Centers” should develop models to provide people in need with nutritious food – regardless of whether there is a disaster or not. The NGO works intensively with local authorities “at the forefront” – for example those in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Barbados.

The lavish “Courage and Civility Award” from Jeff Bezos helped World Central Kitchen “to think bigger. It’s a huge gift ”. When asked about Elon Musk and his potential contribution to alleviating hunger in the world, Mook said, “I did not speak to Elon, José did not speak to him as far as I know. But we are happy to speak to him if he is serious. “After all, everyone has a role to play in this crisis.”