Summary Stats
Phase 1: Immediate Response
Early January 7th, the Santa Ana winds sparked wildfires throughout many areas of LA County. Most devastating have been the Palisades and the Eaton Fires, destroying tens of thousands of acres of land in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and Pasadena. Over 200,000 people have had to evacuate, with a state of emergency being declared almost immediately. Thousands of homes and structures were destroyed, devastating entire neighbourhoods, as well as taking the lives of at least 30 people. Our GEM USA West team was on the ground right away, and is being supported by our GEM HQ & GEM Hawaii teams in order to provide the most robust effort. This disaster has completely destroyed communities, and our teams will be working diligently to deliver hope and support indefinitely.
BStrong Cash Card Assistance
In collaboration with BStrong, the cash card program was immediately implemented to provide evacuees with financial support. These cash cards are distributed to assist with urgent needs, such as gas, food, children’s supplies, clothing, and/or whatever else is needed most at that moment. The GEM team has been visiting various locations throughout the area including shelters, evacuation points, and distribution sites to deliver cards.
Aid Distributions across LA County
GEM & BStrong are working around the clock to pack Family Necessity Kits and other immediate needs for families who have been impacted by the recent fires. These supplies are being distributed throughout LA County daily in order to reach as many people as possible. We are presently distributing supplies such as food, water, hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, and all other goods requested by affected families. We have now also begun distributions of second phase goods, such as homewares.
Short-term Housing Support
We empathize greatly with those who have lost their homes and have been displaced due to this disaster. GEM & BStrong are working closely with displaced individuals and families to provide rental assistance funding for housing support during this time.
To learn more about receiving rental assistance support, click here.
Tool Program
Many of those who have lost everything are now being further affected by being unable to work their trades jobs due to loss of their tools. GEM supports tradespeople through this initiative by providing those who have lost their tools with all new equipment in order for them to resume their work and receive income.
SMALL BUSINESS & ARTISAN GRANT PROGRAM
In response to the many business owners, artists, and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County that had this livelihoods destroyed, GEM has implemented it’s Small Business grant program. This program assists those who lost their businesses with financial support to be able to restart their work, regain income, and return to their craft.
Phase 2: Long Term Assistance
Longer term infrastructure is already in place to support the Los Angeles community indefinitely. We have already established two warehouse spaces in LA County to properly respond to the aftermath of these fires. Our smart partnership model allows us to quickly deploy large scale aid support into the region, and will support GEM’s commitment to uplifting these communities well into the future. GEM works with partners nationwide to fill these warehouses with necessary supplies, in order to deliver the most amount of aid to the greatest number of affected residents.
Partners
