Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce Archewell’s first project

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will team up with World Central Kitchen to help feed those in disaster-stricken areas around the world.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently announced Archewell’s first major project – helping fund new community relief centres for restauranteur José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, an international non-profit that feeds and provides to people in disaster-stricken areas.

Archewell’s first project

A spokesperson for Archewell confirmed the news to Harpers Bazaar that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have forged a philanthropic partnership with food relief charity World Central Kitchen to provide funding to construct four special Community Relief Centers around the world.

Each of the centres will be in areas “disproportionately impacted by hunger and food system challenges.”

The first will be built on the Caribbean island of Dominica – which was hit by two hurricanes in 2017 – and is scheduled to be opened early next year. It will be followed by another in Puerto Rico, with the other two locations yet to be announced. These final locations will be announced in 2021, with efforts being made by the Sussexes and Andrés “to engage additional partners to build more Community Relief Centers in regions around the world,” says a source.

Compassion in action

“The health of our communities depends on our ability to connect to our shared humanity,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in an email statement shared with the publication. “When we think about Chef Andrés and his incredible team at World Central Kitchen, we’re reminded that even during a year of unimaginable hardship, there are so many amazing people willing—and working tirelessly—to support each other. World Central Kitchen inspires us through compassion in action.”

Meanwhile Andrés said that they are more energized than ever to continue this vital work.

“And we’re proud that it will be hand in hand with Archewell Foundation and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I have come to know both of them well, and believe that their values are directly aligned with what we stand for at World Central Kitchen.”

A food crisis

According to data shared by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, ending hunger and achieving universal food security is one of the biggest challenges the world faces today, with over 690 million people around the world currently undernourished. And now, due to the effects of COVID-19, the number of malnourished children and the level of food insecurity is expected to rise by more than 132 million due to pandemic-triggered recession and continued economic slowdowns.

This year, the gruelling pandemic also took its toll on employment, and in turn the state of food accessibility countrywide in South Africa.

According to a press release, despite food parcels and other forms of relief being administered during the early stages of lockdown, many households were still suffering greatly to keep food on the table. The recently released SweepSouth Report on Pay and Working Conditions for Domestic Work in South Africa evidenced the extent of food insecurity among low-income workers and vulnerable people living in South Africa.

The report showed that 64% of respondents surveyed had been forced to reduce spending on food, as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown. The data also showed that 93% of respondents were the main breadwinner in a home with children