Live Updates

The devastating double earthquakes that struck Venezuela have pushed an already fragile nation deeper into crisis.

For a country that has already endured the largest displacement crisis in the Western Hemisphere, this disaster is nothing short of catastrophic. Entire communities are now facing unimaginable loss, uncertainty, and urgent humanitarian needs.

Buildings have collapsed across Caracas as rescue crews race against time to search for survivors. Among the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in more than a century, these powerful quakes have left thousands of families displaced, injured, and in desperate need of assistance.

Within hours of the disaster, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) activated its emergency response. In less than 24 hours, our team began establishing a distribution center in Caracas while mobilizing donors, volunteers, and emergency response personnel from South Florida and around the world. Together with our longtime Venezuelan partner, I Love Venezuela, our recon and emergency response teams are deploying immediately to assess the greatest needs and begin delivering life-saving aid.

Time is critical. Every hour matters for families who have lost everything and are waiting for food, clean water, emergency supplies, and hope.

GEM previously responded to Venezuela’s refugee crisis in 2019, building trusted partnerships and logistical networks that now allow us to move quickly and reach vulnerable communities when they need help most.

A special thank you to @moishemana and @manatechmiami for your continued partnership and unwavering support of the Venezuelan people.

Please stand with Venezuela today. Your donation will help us deliver emergency relief to families whose lives have been turned upside down. Every gift - no matter the size, helps us reach more people, faster.

Visit the link in our bio or go to GEM.org to support this urgent mission. @welove_foundation ...

Last night back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela, with a 7.1 magnitude quake followed roughly a minute later by an even stronger 7.5 magnitude quake, centered just west of the capital. Buildings have collapsed across Caracas, where rescue crews are searching for survivors. Among the strongest quakes to hit the country in over a century, the disaster has left families displaced and communities in urgent need.

GEM began deployment and response plans almost immediately and within less than 24hrs GEM has already begun setting up a distribution center in Caracas and has mobilized donors and volunteers in South Florida and around the world who are supporting Venezuelan relief efforts. The GEM team, has teamed up with our long-term Venezuelan partner I Love Venezuela, is currently mobilizing in response to the developing situation. Our recon and emergency response teams are deploying immediately.

This is a disaster on an epic scale and will require the help and support from many people. Please consider supporting this mission today, every little amount makes a difference.

GEM has previously operated in Venezuela in response to the refugee crisis in 2019, where we had developed critical smart partnerships that will allow for us to respond to this disaster more efficiency and with greater reach. A very special thank you to @moishemana @manatechmiami . To learn more visit the link in our bio section, or visit GEM.org @welove_foundation ...

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost in the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, and to honor the families, survivors, first responders, and community members whose lives were forever changed on June 24, 2021.

Five years have passed since that heartbreaking morning, yet the grief and memories remain deeply woven into the fabric of our South Florida community. For many, the loss still feels as profound today as it did in those first unimaginable days.

The Surfside tragedy holds a special place in the heart of Global Empowerment Mission. As a South Florida-based organization, this disaster struck in our own backyard, affecting neighbors, friends, and members of the community we call home.

In the aftermath of the collapse, GEM stood alongside first responders, local leaders, residents, and supporters from around the world to provide immediate relief and long-term assistance to those impacted. Together, we distributed $397,993 in GEM BStrong Visa cards, provided $349,523 in relocation deposits, raised $397,619 through the Champlain Towers Residents Fund, delivered 250 Family Necessities Kits, distributed $20,000 in Walmart gift cards, and provided $11,000 in GEM BStrong Visa cards to building employees. We also helped relocate 34 families and coordinated with 25 restaurant groups to provide meals for the heroic first responders working tirelessly at the site.

While statistics tell part of the story, they can never fully capture the heartbreak, resilience, courage, and compassion that emerged from one of the darkest moments in our community’s history.

Today, we remember those we lost. We stand with the families who continue to carry their loved ones in their hearts. And we honor the extraordinary spirit of a community that came together in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

We will never forget. To learn more, visit: GEM.org

#SurfsideStrong #NeverForget #Surfside #ChamplainTowersSouth #CommunityStrong ...

Over the past three weeks, GEM’s President, @michaelcapponi and Director of Ukraine Programs & International Affairs, @alina.capponi have been on the ground across Ukraine, overseeing multiple humanitarian missions in frontline and heavily impacted regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, and beyond.

Since the start of the war, @globalempowermentmissionua teams have delivered more than 9 million family necessity kits, supplied 57 million liters of clean drinking water, provided over 557 million meals, installed more than 340,000 replacement windows, and carried out countless other critical humanitarian initiatives to support families and communities across the country.

During this visit, GEM HGBF was also honored to open a new community library in Myrhorod, creating a welcoming educational space for approximately 6,500 students.

These achievements are only possible because of the unwavering dedication of our teams as well as the extraordinary support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

While the challenges remain immense, GEM remains committed to building solutions that help families recover, rebuild, and move forward.

#GlobalEmpowermentMission #GEM #Ukraine #rebuildukraine ...

Conan Scott | Director of Operations, USA Southwest Branch, Global Empowerment Mission

Conan Scott serves as Director of Operations for the USA Southwest Branch, where he leads disaster recovery operations that help individuals, families, and businesses rebuild after catastrophic events. He oversees program implementation, logistics, volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and recovery initiatives designed to address both immediate needs and long-term resilience.

With a background spanning military service, construction management, and nonprofit leadership, Conan brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to disaster recovery. Prior to joining GEM, he spent more than two decades managing construction projects, teams, and operations, developing expertise in rebuilding, project execution, and resource coordination. He also served honorably in the United States Navy, where he gained experience leading personnel and managing complex operational environments.

A lifelong connection to Kerr County informs Conan’s approach to disaster recovery. He grew up in the community, met his wife in Kerrville, and raised his family there. His family’s history in the county spans more than 130 years, and the flood’s impact was personal as well as professional, as his mother’s homestead sustained substantial damage. These roots provide him with a deep appreciation for the resilience of the community and a personal commitment to helping neighbors recover and rebuild.

Since the early days of the disaster, Conan has worked alongside local leaders and stakeholders through the community’s Long-Term Recovery Group to support coordinated recovery efforts throughout the region.

Conan is committed to helping communities recover stronger after disasters through effective programs, strategic partnerships, and responsible stewardship of resources. He believes successful recovery extends beyond rebuilding structures to restoring stability, opportunity, and hope for the future. ...

Mission Empowered - Game on for impact! ⚽

GEM Caribbean is delivering FIFA-branded gear to healthcare workers, teachers, and communities on the front lines, because everyday heroes deserve to feel like champions.

In addition, our team partnered with @cdemacoordinatingunit for a regional disaster preparedness and readiness exercise, helping strengthen emergency response capabilities across the Caribbean and ensuring communities are better prepared for future disasters.

A very special thank you to @fifa @fifaworldcup @fwc26miami for supporting our long-term recovery efforts for families and communities affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Together, we are helping build resilience, restore hope, and support recovery where it is needed most. To learn more visit the link in our bio, or GEM.org #HurricaneMelissa #GEMmissions ...

A Backpack of Hope and Comfort for Children in Crisis

As we continue Hurricane Preparedness Month, we were honored to welcome one of our favorite smart partners @backtoplayorg to #GEM Headquarters.

Together, volunteers assembled and pre-positioned 500 emergency-support backpacks for children affected by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters. This initiative is part of our 2026 Hurricane Preparedness efforts to ensure children receive not only essential supplies, but also comfort and emotional support during times of crisis.

Founded by @faith_stearns_ , an Occupational Therapist and Certified ISR Instructor, Back to Play is dedicated to helping children facing adversity, including illness, family instability, and natural disasters - heal, thrive, and build resilience.

Back to Play has previously partnered with GEM to support children impacted by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, the Los Angeles wildfires, the Texas Hill Country floods, and Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.

Each backpack contains thoughtfully selected items, including hygiene supplies, stuffed animals, blankets, books, art materials, fidget toys, reusable water bottles, flashlights, and other comfort items. Designed using an occupational therapy-informed approach, these backpacks help children regulate emotions, cope with trauma, and regain a sense of normalcy after disaster strikes.

Because when children experience disaster, they need more than relief - they need comfort, care, and hope. To learn more about Back to Play, please visit www.back-to-play.org

#HurricanePreparednessMonth #BackToPlay #DisasterRelief #HopeInAction ...

Erika Ruiz, CPA, brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, compliance, financial management, and organizational leadership. A Certified Public Accountant since 2005, her expertise spans nonprofit and for-profit sectors, government-funded programs, donor compliance, risk management, and financial strategy.

As Chief Financial Officer of GEM, Erika oversees the organization’s financial strategy, leading and supporting a team of approximately 26 professionals across multiple branches to ensure operational excellence and effective mission delivery. She is responsible for overseeing all financial activities, compliance, and human resources functions, helping ensure that GEM maintains the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and regulatory compliance. A key aspect of her role is ensuring that mission-related expenses are properly allocated across programs in accordance with donor requirements, grant agreements, and allowable cost guidelines, supporting responsible stewardship of resources and maximizing mission impact.

Prior to joining GEM, Erika served as a Director at a nationally recognized CPA firm, where she led audit engagements for organizations across a broad range of industries, including hospitality, real estate, nonprofit, and professional services. Her experience included working with national and internationally recognized organizations, providing assurance services that supported strong financial reporting, governance, and operational effectiveness.

Erika has also played an active role in managing state and federally funded programs in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Human Services, supporting initiatives designed to assist individuals and families affected by the 2023 Hawaii wildfires. Her work focused on program compliance and financial accountability, helping impacted communities access critical support and recovery services.

She is committed to fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement while supporting GEM’s mission and long-term sustainability. ...

PRESERVING CULTURE & IDENTITY IN WARTIME….

Yesterday, we proudly reopened the Children’s and Youth Library in Myrhorod, Poltava region of Ukraine. This complete renovation is fully supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

This library is a vibrant community space where children and young people can read, learn, grow, and connect. Serving a community of more than 41,000 residents, including over 4,500 students from seven city schools, the library plays an important role in supporting education and child development.

Preserving Ukrainian culture is critical during these times. In the face of countless attacks that aim to erase Ukrainian heritage, we remain steadfast. It’s essential that all cultures, especially children have access to their books, language, and traditions.

In nurturing this vibrant cultural legacy, we ensure that future generations carry forward their identity, resilience, and pride. We were happy to create a modern, welcoming environment that will serve generations of children, youth, educators, and families for years to come.

Myrhorod has also welcomed relocated educational institutions from the Luhansk region and serves students from eight rural schools across the community, making this space even more valuable as a hub for learning and opportunity.

#Ukraine #Myrhorod #LibrariesMatter #EducationForAll #CommunityDevelopment ChildDevelopment HowardGBuffettFoundation GEM RebuildingUkraine culture @globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissionua ...

Our #GEM Europe & Asia Ground Teams operated today in some of the most remote earthquake-affected areas of Southern Mindanao, including the municipality of Glan in Sarangani Province and the municipality of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental Province.

This was the first day that access became possible to several of these communities after roads were severely damaged by the earthquake. As one of the first humanitarian teams able to reach these areas, we delivered emergency relief supplies to families who had not yet received any assistance.

We traveled as far as road conditions allowed. For communities that remained inaccessible by vehicle, we loaded aid onto motorcycles. Relief bags will be distributed according to beneficiary lists prepared by community leaders.

Many of the communities we visited remain without electricity and access to clean water. Roads are still damaged, making travel and the delivery of aid extremely challenging.

During today’s distribution, we also experienced a 6.2 magnitude aftershock. Residents were visibly frightened, as the earthquake and continuing aftershocks have left them traumatized and fearful of further destruction.

We also distributed toys brought from Poland for children living in these remote villages. For most of them, it was the first toy they had ever received.

Very special thank you to our mission partner, @royalcaribbean for making this mission possible. To learn more visit the link in our bio, or GEM.org ...

As part of our ongoing humanitarian response in Lebanon, the #GEM MENA team, alongside our valued partners HCI and ONSUR, continues to support displaced families and vulnerable communities facing increasingly difficult circumstances.

The prolonged crisis has left many families struggling to meet their most basic needs, with widespread economic hardship affecting communities across the country. Thousands have been displaced from their homes, creating an urgent need for food, hygiene supplies, and other essential resources.

To help meet this need, Global Empowerment Mission has delivered 15 containers of humanitarian aid to Lebanon, providing food, hygiene items, Family Necessity Kits, and other critical supplies to support more than 70,000 individuals. Distributions are currently taking place across Beirut and South Lebanon, ensuring assistance reaches families and individuals who need it most.

These relief efforts provide more than essential supplies, they offer dignity, comfort, and hope during a time of uncertainty and hardship. Through the collective efforts of our teams, partners, and supporters, families are receiving practical assistance that helps ease the burden of displacement and daily struggle.

We are deeply grateful to HCI, ONSUR, and every donor and supporter whose generosity makes this work possible. Together, we remain committed to delivering humanitarian aid wherever it is needed, standing alongside affected communities, restoring hope, and helping families navigate the path toward recovery. @globalempowermentmissionmena @hcicanada To learn more visit the link in our bio section, or GEM.org ...

Following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao, Philippines, on June 8, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Europe, and GEM Asia, in partnership with @royalcaribbean @royalcaribbeanasia , has mobilized emergency relief efforts to support affected communities across the region.

The powerful earthquake, the strongest to impact the area in decades, caused widespread destruction throughout southern Mindanao, damaging thousands of homes, schools, businesses, and critical infrastructure. According to current reports, at least 55 people have lost their lives, more than 1,100 have been injured, and over 45,000+ residents have been displaced from their homes. Tens of thousands more have been affected across the region as recovery efforts continue.

GEM Europe & Asia teams are actively operating in Sarangani Province and General Santos City, among the areas hardest hit by the disaster. Working alongside local partners and authorities, we have already begun distributing emergency relief supplies, including food, clean drinking water, hygiene items, and other essential necessities to affected families.

Beginning this week, our response will expand into additional communities across the region as assessments continue and urgent needs are identified. Reaching vulnerable populations remains challenging, as many roads and transportation routes have been severely damaged by the earthquake and subsequent landslides. To ensure aid reaches those most in need, distributions are being coordinated at accessible locations where families can safely gather and receive assistance.

We are deeply grateful to our partners at Royal Caribbean Group for helping make this response possible. Together, we remain committed to standing alongside the people of the Philippines during this difficult time, delivering critical relief and helping communities begin the long road to recovery. To learn more visit the links in our bio section above or, GEM.org #phillipines #earthquake #humanitarianaid #disasterrelief #GEM ...

Meet the Team | Chief Operating Officer: Jeff Popovich.

Jeff brings decades of leadership, operational management, and disaster response experience to Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). Throughout his career, he has led large-scale operations, built high-performing teams, and developed systems focused on efficiency, accountability, and measurable impact.

As Chief Operating Officer, Jeff oversees GEM’s global operations, helping to drive the organization’s mission through effective disaster response, humanitarian aid distribution, logistics, compliance, warehousing, and long-term recovery programs. His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening GEM’s ability to rapidly deploy assistance, manage complex humanitarian operations, and support communities recovering from disasters around the world.

Driven by a commitment to service and operational excellence, Jeff works to ensure that resources are delivered efficiently, partnerships are strengthened, and every mission is executed with accountability, compassion, and transparency. From emergency response and humanitarian relief to rebuilding and recovery initiatives, his focus remains on helping communities recover stronger and more resilient than before.

Today, Jeff continues to lead GEM’s operational strategy and growth, supporting innovative solutions that maximize impact, strengthen partnerships, and ensure aid reaches those who need it most. GEM.org ...

For the third consecutive year, @farmsharefl and @globalempowermentmission (GEM) joined forces to host a statewide Hurricane Preparedness Community Distribution, helping thousands of Florida families prepare before disaster strikes.

Today’s initiative took place simultaneously at eight locations across Florida, with one additional distribution scheduled for tomorrow, June 7th, in Hialeah. Together, these events are providing residents with free hurricane preparedness essentials, including emergency blankets, flashlights, Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs), dignity kits, hydration powder, food and water, rain ponchos, pet food, and more.

Florida remains one of the nation’s most hurricane-vulnerable states, with millions of residents living in evacuation zones and storm-prone communities. Recent hurricanes have displaced thousands across the Southeast, underscoring the importance of preparedness before a storm arrives.

“Hurricane season can be unpredictable and stressful, but with advanced preparation, residents can survive and thrive after a disaster occurs,” said Stephen Shelley, CEO of Farm Share. “Our goal is to eliminate the financial barriers associated with storm preparedness and ensure every household has access to critical supplies before they are needed.”

“We know disasters are inevitable, but preparedness can make all the difference,” said Michael Capponi, Founder and President of GEM. “We are proud to partner with Farm Share for the third year in a row. Providing these preparedness kits is a critical step in helping communities face worst-case scenarios with greater confidence and resilience.”

This initiative highlights the power of proactive disaster readiness and strategic partnerships. Through GEM’s commitment to Smart Partnerships, organizations can maximize impact, stretch every donor dollar further, and help communities become stronger before the next storm arrives.

Learn more at GEM.org or visit the link in our bio. #hurricane #preparedness #farmshare #gem ...