World Central Kitchen among winners of 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

Prime Minister of Barbados and teenage Ethiopian health innovator also receive the award

World Central Kitchen, founded in 2010 by chef Jose Andres, has delivered 300 million meals in food relief. Getty Images

World Central Kitchen (WCK) has been named among this year's winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

The non-profit organisation was praised for its work in delivering food relief to communities suffering from humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

Since being founded in 2010 by Spanish-American chef Jose Andres, WCK has delivered more than 300 million meals to communities in over 30 countries − including more than 70 million meals to Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, reported Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Prime Minister of Barbados and climate change champion Mia Amor Mottley and 15-year-old “health innovator” Heman Bekele were also winners of the award that comes with a $1 million prize.

“Partnering with local chefs, volunteers, and suppliers, WCK supports local economies while delivering fresh, nutritious meals,” the media office said.

“Through collaborations, including with the UAE, and its innovative first-on-the-ground approach allowing for rapid response to crises under challenging circumstances, WCK has demonstrated its innovative capabilities in providing meals to the people who need them most.”

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity winner Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was praised by judges for pioneering debt-for-climate swaps. Getty Images

Ms Mottley was selected by the judging committee for her leadership on climate action and policy, which included the launch of the Bridgetown Initiative in 2022, seen as a call for decisive action to reform global financial systems to take into consideration climate inequality.

“She has committed to achieving 100 per cent renewable energy for Barbados by 2030, investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy sources to reduce the island’s reliance on fossil fuels,” the media office said.

“The Prime Minister has pioneered debt-for-climate swaps, enabling countries to reallocate national debt toward climate resilience projects.”

Rounding off the winners was Ethiopian teenager Heman, who was celebrated for his ambition to save the lives of the most vulnerable and his vision of accessible and affordable healthcare.

Heman Bekele, Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honoree. Victor Besa / The National

At 14, he developed a cost-effective soap to prevent and treat early-stage skin cancer, an idea that earned him the title of Time magazine's 2024 Kid of the Year and recognition in various science competitions, the media office reported.

He now works alongside researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, to develop the life-saving soap and is seeking to expand global access to healthcare solutions for those who are most in need.

“It is the judging committee’s honour to spotlight three outstanding honourees who are addressing some of today’s most urgent challenges − climate resilience, humanitarian relief, and youth-driven innovation,” said Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary general of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

“This year’s recipients demonstrate that transformative work can be undertaken at any age, in any place in the world and in any field. By honouring Prime Minister Mottley, World Central Kitchen, and Heman Bekele, we seek to inspire others to envision and act towards a better future for the world.”

The winners were announced on Friday morning at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, and will receive the prizes in an official ceremony on February 4.