Following a tragic Israeli airstrike, friends and family are grieving the loss of their loved ones, including three Britons, an Australian, a Polish national, a dual-citizen of America and Canada, and a Palestinian. These individuals were serving with World Central Kitchen, delivering much-needed food supplies to beleaguered Palestinians. Many had been global travellers, offering humanitarian aid in regions affected by wars, earthquakes and wildfires.
Not all fatalities have been publicly confirmed, but we can highlight those who’ve been named.
The Israeli forces have publically taken responsibility for the accidental killing of these aid workers in the Gaza Strip.
Among those identified was the Palestinian humanitarian aid worker Saif Issam Abu Taha. The 27-year-old’s identity was confirmed by family members and medical staff at the hospital. Ahmed Abu Taha, his brother, stated Saif had served as a driver for World Central Kitchen since the year’s start, described as dedicated and committed. Speaking to The New York Times, another brother mentioned Saif’s industrious nature, his proficiency in English, as well as his experience working in their father’s business. The last memory of his brother was filled with anticipation and excitement as if attending a wedding, at being able to deliver the urgently required food.
Stories of remembered heroism also circulate around Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom. Hailed as brave and selfless by her friends and relatives, this 43-year-old Australian native spent the last five years of her life serving at the World Central Kitchen, undertaking missions in her home country, the U.S., and Thailand. Anthony Albanese, The Prime Minister, expressed the nation’s profound loss whilst speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Frankcom’s family also released a statement, honouring her as an ‘extraordinary human’ who died doing the work she was most passionate about.
Frankcom, originally from Melbourne, held a bachelor’s degree from Swinburne University of Technology. Prior to her humanitarian work, she had an eight-year tenure at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. She also travelled to countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Romania, and Haiti, helping those in need, as evident from her social media accounts.
Dora Weekley, a co-worker at World Central Kitchen, fondly narrated her memories of working with Ms Frankcom during Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas in 2019. Weekley recalled her as a vibrant personality. She remembered vividly the time when Ms Frankcom was asked to grace the red carpet in Hollywood for a documentary nomination on World Central Kitchen at the Emmy Awards. Laughing, she recalled Ms Frankcom expressing surprise at seeing herself in a fancy attire, as she was often found working in sweats and sneakers in various parts of the world from Pakistan to Afghanistan, often devoid of any make-up or hairdo. Weekley remarked how Ms Frankcom was a tireless worker, always willing to support those in need.
Damian Sobol, the 36-year-old, was recognized for his cheerful, amicable nature and as a shrewd manager that swiftly advanced through the ranks at World Central Kitchen. Born and educated in hospitality in Przemysl, a city in southeast Poland, Mr Sobol had been active in relief initiatives in Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey and Gaza over the past six months. Marta Wilczynska from the Free Place Foundation, a partner organization to World Central Kitchen, memorialised him as an extraordinary person. Sobol had left a deep impression on her during a meeting on the Polish border with Ukraine, just after the latest Russian incursion in February 2022. He was fluent in English, had excellent managerial skills and was always prepared to operate in any circumstance. Mikolaj Rykowski, president of Free Place Foundation, and Przemysl Mayor Wojciech Bakun eulogised him, describing him as a person who could conquer all challenges and whose absence left an indescribable void.
John Chapman, 57, hailing from the UK was also among the lost as declared by World Central Kitchen. Mr Chapman was noted as part of the charitable organisation’s security detail. Reports from The Times and The Sun indicate that he was an ex-Royal Marine from Cornwall who had served in the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Service.
James “Jim” Henderson was a 33-year-old former Royal Marine from the United Kingdom, as stated by The Daily Telegraph. He worked in the security detail of the relief team, as revealed by World Central Kitchen. Another UK citizen who was part of the casualties was James Kirby, aged 47. Like Henderson, Kirby was associated with the charity’s security staff. An Army veteran, according to The Daily Express’ reports.