In a saddened day for the World Central Kitchen, its aid worker Jacob Flickinger died in an air strike by the Israel Defense Force. His loss is tragic for many people who know his social work for the wellness of the needy. Six other relief team workers also died in the air strike in Gaza.
Israel Defence Force and Hamas fighting since October last year. The people of the Gaza Strip and their homes got destroyed and they all are facing food scarcity. Many world-renowned welfare associations including the United Nations come forward for the support of the Palestine people.
World Central Kitchen relief team is also supporting the war victims, their work is to provide food to the needy, but on a tragic night, their relief team workers died on an air strike by the Israel Defense Force. Israel armed forces strike the relief team on suspicion that one of the terrorists is hiding inside the vehicle. All 7 relief team workers died in an air strike.
Who is Jacob Flickinger? What Exactly happened to the World Central Kitchen
One of the relief team workers Jacob Flickinger is one of them who died, he was a renowned aid worker who worked for many disaster-struck lands and provided food to the needy by working as a volunteer for the World Central Kitchen.
He worked tirelessly for the needy families in Acapulco, Mexico during Hurricane Otis late last year. Residents of the state of Guerrero shared fond memories of him who distributed food at the time of crisis, by taking a risk of his own life when a category 5 hurricane hit the region last year on 5 October.
He with his team members lend support to the Palestinians, by supplying food to the war victims people.
There are a total of 7 aid workers whose names are -:
- Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha : 25 from Palestine
- Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankom : 43 from Australia
- Damian Sobol: 35 from Poland
- James Kirby: 47 from the UK
- John Chapman: 57 from the UK
- James Henderson: 33 from UK
These are the real heroes who supported the civilians during the time of war and conflict at the cost of their own lives.
What Exactly Happened to Jacob Flickinger and His Colleagues of the World Central Kitchen
- Israel Defense Forces suspected that there was one terrorist hiding inside the truck that carried food
- The truck unloaded the tons of food at the warehouse at Al Deir al-Balah
- The three cars left the warehouse without the truck suspected of harbouring the terrorist.
- The one-armed man stayed at the warehouse and three cars with the WCK logo followed the IDF directed en route in coordination with the army.
- But at midnight IDF struck the R9X Hellfire missile which smashed into one of the vehicles, and the wounded aid workers ran toward the upcoming vehicles. They informed about their casualty
- The two vehicles speed up but another missile hit the one of the vehicle
- The third vehicle came for the rescue of the wounded and carried them for safety, that third missile was released by the IDF that killed all, of the 7 people.
Many people from Mexico pay condolence to the World Central Kitchen aid worker Jacob Flickinger.
Restaurants en Acapulco, promoted a page where they showed the work done by Jacob Flickinger, distributing food to the needy when they were afflicted by floods.
One of the Mexican people said – “ RIP. He once told me on one occasion that he came to help and not to distract himself in other things. Hug up to heaven.”
Glady De La O wrote on Facebook “ ‘My deepest condolences to the WCK family and to each of the families of the deceased.”
‘Terrible and regrettable tragedy, the killing of this WCK group who were doing humanitarian work in the middle of a war.
‘They are real heroes who died for the love of their neighbor. Rest in peace and in the glory of God be you.’
Many people who Jacob helped poured their heartfelt messages on the social media platform, and they all are disheartened.
A Go Fund Me Fundraiser page is set up for Jacob to raise funds for his family. He was the sole financial supporter of his family. He left his wife and his son behind. He was serving in Gaza as the aid worker for World Central Kitchen to provide food for war victims people.
What is World Central Kitchen?
World Central Kitchen was founded by chef Jose Andres to provide the best quality of food to the people who are afflicted by natural disasters, calamities, and wars.
His main motive is to provide it was about listening, learning, and cooking side by side with people who are affected by the crisis. According to him food is an essential part of life and provides nourishment to the body, so it is best to use his culinary skills to provide food to needy people.
How World Leaders Reacted to the Death of 7 Aid Workers of World Central Kitchen
Israel armed forces Chief Herzi Halevi said that it is a grave mistake on night-time misidentification and we have to provide unintentional harm to the WCK people.
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres said “These people are heroes, they run into the fire, not away from it,
‘We shouldn’t have a situation where people who are simply trying to help their fellow human beings are themselves at grave risk.”
The devastating Israeli airstrikes that killed @WCKitchen personnel yesterday bring the number of aid workers killed in this conflict to 196 – including more than 175 members of our own @UN staff.
This is unconscionable.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 2, 2024
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked Netanyahu for a thorough investigation should be conducted by the Israeli govt.
Netanyahu also said “This happens in war,’ ‘We are conducting a thorough inquiry and are in contact with the governments. We will do everything to prevent a recurrence.”
It was alleged by the United Nations that Israeli defense forces targeted and killed at least 198 aid workers to prevent the aid reach to Palestine. Israel declined the allegation as it is hindering the urgent distribution of food to Palestinian civilians.