Last year, Jenna Tressler and Burak Dalcik from our Maryland office collaborated with World Central Kitchen (WCK) to support the organization’s emergency response efforts following the devastating earthquake in Turkey. WCK, renowned for its rapid deployment and provision of meals in crisis situations, needed to mobilize quickly to address the urgent needs of affected communities.
In the wake of the earthquake, WCK established operations in the impacted cities, requiring a swift and efficient response. Our team faced the challenge of finding local manufacturers that could source essential supplies, including aluminum pans and tents, which would also help stimulate the local economy.
To ensure the suitability of potential factories, Burak, a Turkish national, volunteered to travel to Turkey. Leveraging his local knowledge and connections, Burak inspected the facilities in Istanbul and subsequently visited the earthquake-affected areas to oversee the logistics and supply chain operations. His on-the-ground presence was crucial in coordinating with factories and ensuring timely delivery of necessary products.
Meanwhile, Jenna Tressler managed the support operations from Maryland. Within a week, the team successfully sourced, quoted, and delivered the required materials, exemplifying their commitment to meeting the critical demands of the crisis under intense time constraints.
