Live Updates

Deika Morrison serves as Executive Director of Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) Caribbean.

As a teenager, she lived through Hurricane Gilbert in Jamaica. For months, there was no electricity or running water. Living through the storm was one thing; living through its aftermath was another. The experience influenced her decision to study water and environmental systems, alongside economics and finance. She went on to earn degrees from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University.

Her career spans business, consulting and public service, including serving as a legislator, regulator and policymaker. Her work across the Caribbean has connected her with communities, organizations and the diaspora. She has also worked extensively with children and in education.

Following Hurricane Beryl’s impact on Jamaica, Deika reached out to GEM to help affected communities and went on to lead its rebuilding efforts. She also proposed a GEM Caribbean headquarters in Kingston and negotiated memoranda of understanding with Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to strengthen disaster response coordination.

Her current focus includes supporting families, restoring homes and helping schools and communities recover following major disasters, including Hurricane Melissa.

For Deika, the work is about being prepared to help when it matters - bringing resources, relationships and local understanding together to help communities rebuild and become more resilient. To learn more about the important work that Deika is doing on the ground to help Jamaica recover, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org @deikamorrison ...

GAZA UPDATE | FACING THE WINTER TOGETHER

As heavy rains flood tents across Gaza, families face another struggle: keeping their children warm and dry.

Throughout October, GEM MENA ground teams reached thousands of displaced families and children despite enormous challenges, delivering food, hygiene supplies and clean water while preparing shelter and classrooms.

Food kits reached 1,644 households, 8,289 people across camps in Khan Younis, Central Gaza and Gaza, helping parents who have lost their homes and income put meals on the table.

Another 62,480 kg of bulk food is ready for distribution: flour, rice, lentils, chickpeas, white beans, sunflower oil, pasta, bulgur, tuna, sweet corn, chopped tomato and sugar.

With GEM Europe / HumanDoc, hygiene kits reached 560 households, 2,690 people. Through HCI, another 3,521 orphaned children received hygiene kits. Where soap and clean water are scarce, these essentials help protect against skin diseases and infections while preserving dignity.

Teams supplied 114 m³ of clean drinking water to 12 camps across the Gaza Strip, helping prevent waterborne illness and diarrhea, serious threats to displaced children.

In southern Gaza, our new education center is complete. Six classrooms are ready to welcome 270 orphaned children, with school bags and stationery for every child. After years of disrupted schooling, a classroom offers routine, safety and hope.

Of 5,000 tents on the way, the first 684 have arrived for families in greatest need. As winter closes in, shelter offers protection from the cold and rain.

A meal, clean water, a classroom, a dry place to sleep, each delivery supports a family facing another uncertain day. Every distribution is documented and tracked so aid reaches those it is intended for.

Stand with the families of Gaza this winter. Learn more at the link in our bio or GEM.org @hcicanada @globalempowermentmissionmena @globalempowermentmissioneur ...

PANAMA EARTHQUAKE | GEM LATAM Disaster Response

Following the devastating earthquake and aftershocks across Panama, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, DHL, the Government of Panama, and First Lady Maricel de Mulino, mobilized a humanitarian response to assist affected communities.

On October 16, a cargo flight from Miami delivered 100 pallets of emergency supplies - more than 43 metric tons of aid valued at over $375,000 USD. The shipment included Family Necessity Kits, food, hygiene supplies, mattresses, blankets, tarps, and other essentials.

Following ground assessments led by GEM LATAM Director of Operations Luis Velasquez, our teams began multi-day distributions across Veraguas, Herrera, and Los Santos, reaching remote coastal villages and rural communities with difficult road access.

From Mariato, Malena, Torio, and Palo Seco to Soná, Santiago, La Mesa, Pesé, Tonosí, Playa Venao, and Macaracas, GEM worked with local authorities and volunteers to deliver aid directly to affected families.

On October 19, GEM joined U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera, Panamanian officials, and local leaders in Tonosí, providing assistance to more than 300 families and delivering 200 school desks to support local schools.

GEM is also coordinating with the Chabad community in Playa Venao to identify ongoing recovery needs. @chabadvenao @yariv_klein lapinamora

We thank the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Panama, DHL, the Government of Panama, First Lady Maricel de Mulino, and all local partners and volunteers for making this mission possible.

Support GEM’s ongoing disaster response at GEM.org or the link in our bio. @statedept @dhl_global @mulinomaricel @ambassadorcabrera @usembpan

#GEM #PanamaEarthquake #HumanitarianAid #DisasterResponse ...

Last night, our founder and president, @MichaelCapponi, was honoured to receive the Global Impact Award at the @cityofdoral’s 2026 Mayor and Chiefs Gala. The City of Doral has played an instrumental role in supporting GEM’s humanitarian logistics hub, bringing together local communities and diaspora groups in response to the recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia.

Over the past 4 months alone, these collective efforts have helped mobilise more than $100 million dollars in humanitarian aid, with the support of over 25,000 volunteers. This is what makes @globalempowermentmission’s model so unique. Through innovative public private partnerships, we unite cities, governments, businesses, community organisations and volunteers around a shared mission. Everyone contributes, and together we turn compassion into immediate, measurable impact.

Special thanks to our incredible GEM teams, our donors, our corporate partners, our board of directors, @welove_foundation, @santichumaceiro, @statedept @miamidadeem @prologis @doralpd and to everyone who has helped make this mission possible.

This award belongs to all of you. Stronger together. @pp4kfoundation ...

GEM PANAMA EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE 🇵🇦

Today, we delivered more than 40 tons of critical humanitarian supplies to #Panama following the devastating October 9th earthquake.

A DHL humanitarian cargo aircraft arrived from Miami carrying 100 pallets of emergency relief supplies, with a combined value of approximately $350,000 in donated goods and transportation.

Our shipment includes:

• 53 pallets of GEM Family Necessity Kits, containing food and essential hygiene supplies.
• School desks to support affected educational facilities.
• Emergency shelter supplies, including tarps, mattresses, and blankets.
• Flashlights, N95 masks, diapers, and other essential necessities.

GEM’s advance response team has been on the ground assessing earthquake-affected communities, identifying urgent needs, and coordinating a direct distribution strategy.

Beginning Saturday, October 17th, our teams will distribute aid across 11 communities, starting in Santiago and continuing through Soná, Playa Venao, Torio, Mariato, Penonomé, Aguadulce, Los Pozos, Pesé, Pedasí, and Macaracas.

Our focus remains on getting humanitarian assistance directly into the hands of families who need it most.

This mission was made possible through collaboration between Global Empowerment Mission, the U.S. Department of State, and DHL, which generously donated the cargo flight.

We are grateful to the U.S. Ambassador to Panama, the Government of Panama, DHL, and our local partners for helping facilitate this rapid humanitarian response. @statedept @dhl_global @dhlus @ambassadorcabrera @usembpan ...

HURRICANE ISAIAS | FLORIDA | ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) teams remain on the ground in Florida’s Panhandle, continuing to distribute essential disaster relief supplies and cash assistance to communities hardest hit by Hurricane Isaias.

Thanks to the generous support of our partner, @good360usa, GEM has received a substantial donation of bottled water to help families still struggling with power outages and water shortages in the aftermath of the storm.

Relief distributions are ongoing in Santa Rosa and Escambria Counties, and surrounding communities, where GEM teams are providing critical supplies to help impacted families address their most immediate needs as they begin the recovery process.

As these communities work to rebuild and restore a sense of normalcy, GEM remains committed to delivering direct assistance where it is needed most.

To learn more about this mission or support our ongoing relief efforts, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. @flewthecoop_ @gofundmepro ...

HURRICANE ISAIAS | FLORIDA RESPONSE UPDATE

GEM’s ground team continues to work throughout communities impacted by Hurricane Isaias, conducting wellness checks, assessing urgent needs, and providing direct assistance to families affected by the storm.

With many households still without power and facing significant challenges in the aftermath of the hurricane, GEM is distributing cash cards to help families meet their most immediate needs, as they begin the recovery process.

In addition to direct distributions, our teams are working closely with government officials, local organizations, churches and community leaders to coordinate relief efforts, identify underserved areas, and establish additional channels for delivering humanitarian aid.

GEM remains committed to supporting these communities as they navigate the challenges of recovery, ensuring that critical assistance reaches affected areas efficiently. @gofundmepro

To learn more about our ongoing response and how you can support this mission, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. #hurricane #isaias #florida #disasterrelief ...

NEPAL | FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Another devastating flash flood struck Nepal today, sweeping away homes and threatening communities along the Budhi Gandaki River in Gorkha District. Residents living near the river were urged to evacuate to higher ground after a landslide reportedly blocked the river, triggering dangerous downstream flooding.

GEM teams in partnership with @pbunitedway have remained on the ground in Nepal since August 29, 2026, when a catastrophic flash flood struck the northern Rasuwa District. Triggered by a massive ice and rock avalanche near Langtang Lirung, the disaster caused widespread destruction, claimed lives, and left remote communities struggling to recover.

For the past 43 days, GEM has maintained a continuous presence in Nepal, delivering $200,000 in humanitarian aid to families and communities impacted by the disaster.

With bridges washed away and roads completely destroyed, reaching some of the hardest-hit villages has presented extraordinary logistical challenges. Despite these obstacles, GEM teams have continued finding ways to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to isolated communities, ensuring that families cut off from traditional supply routes are not forgotten.

We extend our sincere gratitude to @airlinkflight for supporting the transportation of #GEM humanitarian aid to Nepal, as well as the Nepal Peace Scouts and the Government of Nepal, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, its Disaster Policy Coordination and International Relations Section, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), for their invaluable coordination and logistical support throughout this mission. Special thanks to our partners @good360usa, Bob & Beth McCluney, Sawyers Water Filters. @bethmccluney @sawyernepal @pbunitedway

To learn more about GEM’s ongoing humanitarian response in Nepal and how you can help, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. #nepal #flood #humanitarianaid ...

HURRICANE ISAIAS | CASH CARD DISTRIBUTION

GEM ground teams continue distributing emergency cash assistance to individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Isaias.

As affected communities begin the difficult process of cleanup and recovery, GEM’s cash card program is providing much-needed financial assistance to help families meet their most immediate needs.

Many neighborhoods remain without power as crews work to clear fallen trees and widespread debris left behind by the hurricane’s powerful winds.

GEM remains on the ground, working alongside affected communities to provide critical assistance during these first stages of recovery.

To learn more about GEM’s Hurricane Isaias response and support our ongoing relief efforts, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. ...

HURRICANE RESPONSE | FLORIDA PANHANDLE

GEM Florida and GEM Southwest ground teams are on the ground today across Florida’s Panhandle, conducting damage and needs assessments in the Destin and Pensacola areas following last night’s Category 2 hurricane.

A truckload of emergency humanitarian aid is already en route from GEM’s Global Headquarters in Doral, Florida, to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families impacted by the storm.

This morning, GEM Headquarters welcomed Congressman Byron Donalds, who joined community volunteers and GEM staff in preparing and packing essential disaster relief supplies destined for the hardest-hit communities across the Panhandle.

As our ground teams continue assessing the damage and identifying the most urgent needs, GEM is mobilizing additional resources to support affected families and communities as recovery efforts begin.

Stay tuned for continuing updates from our teams on the ground as GEM’s disaster response unfolds.

To learn more about our response efforts and support this mission, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. #HurricaneIsaias #Florida #Panhandle #disasterrelief #GEM @byrondonalds @repdonaldspress ...

Today, we were honored to once again welcome H.E. Bernie Navarro @ambassadornavarro, United States Ambassador to Peru, to @globalempowermentmission’s headquarters, accompanied by H.E. Luis Dyer Fernández, Peru’s Minister of Health.

During their visit, we held important strategic discussions focused on the urgent need for proactive planning, pre-positioning of humanitarian supplies, and coordinated emergency response preparations ahead of what could become one of the most significant El Niño events in modern history.

With northern Peru facing the potential for catastrophic flooding, infrastructure destruction, and widespread humanitarian needs, the time to prepare is now - not after disaster strikes.

GEM is actively developing comprehensive response strategies, including coordination with the U.S. Department of State @statedept, to ensure that critical humanitarian resources, logistics networks, and emergency response capabilities can be rapidly activated where they are needed most.

The potential scale of this El Niño event presents extraordinary challenges, with impacts that remain difficult to fully predict. We must remain vigilant, proactive, and united in our commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.

We are grateful to Ambassador Navarro and Minister Dyer Fernández for their leadership, engagement, and shared commitment to strengthening humanitarian preparedness.

At GEM, we don’t wait for disasters to happen to begin preparing. We prepare today so we can save lives tomorrow.

🇺🇸 🇵🇪 🌎 ...