World Central Kitchen [Greece wildfire response]

Communities throughout the country were impacted by raging wildfires fueled by dry conditions and a record-breaking heatwave. Villages in Rhodes, Evia, Corfu, and Volos were heavily affected, with new fires igniting almost daily.

First responders in Rhodes—an island in southeastern Greece just 13 miles from the Turkish coast—were finally able to bring blazes under control after days of grueling work. Nearly 20,000 people were forced to evacuate, making it the largest evacuation effort in Greece’s history.

WCK's Relief Team first reached Rhodes with sandwiches, fruit, and water for firefighters and locals doing everything they could to save homes and businesses. Over the next two weeks, we provided thousands of meals to communities impacted by the fires in Rhodes, Evia, Corfu, and Volos. Our teams were hiking on mountain trails and using all-terrain vehicles to ensure that fire-impacted communities and first responders receive nourishing meals and refreshing drinks.

This is the second time WCK’s Relief Team has responded to wildfires in Greece. In 2021, we provided thousands of meals to families in Evia—located just north of Athens—as heatwave-fueled fires devastated communities in the region.