Live Updates

Our @globalempowermentmissionmena branch, in close partnership with @samaritanspurse and @hcicanada has been working around the clock to support families facing the harsh winter months. Together, we have supplied tens of thousands of families with durable winter tents, warm clothing, and essential relief items.

This coordinated effort is helping protect some of the region’s most vulnerable communities from severe cold, giving families safety, warmth, and dignity during an extremely difficult season. ...

This weekend, GEM West, in partnership with @rotarydistrict5280 came together for a powerful Recovery Pop-Up in the Palisades; beautifully hosted by the Pali LTRG at the American Legion.

Although rooted in the Palisades, this event opened its arms to all fire survivors across the region. We were humbled to welcome families from Malibu, Topanga, and even Altadena residents currently staying in Santa Monica area.

With 38 incredible partners and service providers standing beside us, offering long-term recovery support, childcare resources, kids zone, hot meals from the Southern Baptists, music, acupuncture, distribution items, and so much more, the day was a reminder of what true community looks like. We are honored to bring love, light, and compassion to families walking through some of the darkest and most uncertain chapters of their lives. Our mission is simple: to walk with them, hand in hand, as they navigate the road to recovery. Almost $500K in aid and resources to 277 families, 695 individuals, 60 volunteers - 32 of them from our rotary partners.

“GEM West teams work very hard to work with everyone so we don’t forget anyone,” says GEM West Director, Elizabeth Jernberg. Today reflected the heart of real recovery: we listen, we hear, and we show up with solutions.”

You are not alone. You are never forgotten. #LA #fires #GEM #Bstrong To learn more visit the link in our bio section. ...

We’re honored to announce a powerful new partnership between @foodforthepoorinc @foodforthepoorja and @globalempowermentmission. This partnership is aimed to accelerate life-saving relief for families in #Jamaica devastated by #HurricaneMelissa.

Together, our organizations will co-produce tens of thousands of food and @good360usa hygiene kits. These kits contain staple food items and essential hygiene supplies to support families experiencing severe loss and disruption.

This collaboration brings together FFTP’s extensive in-country logistics and distribution network with GEM’s rapid packaging, shipping, and large-scale emergency response capabilities. By combining strengths, we are able to act with greater speed, reach, and compassion in the hardest-hit regions.

As part of this partnership, GEM will also produce food kits to support field operations under the GEM @iom.jamaica tarp installation program, ensuring families who lost roofs and shelter receive both structural support and immediate relief.

GEM has been on the ground in Jamaica since Hurricane Beryl, repairing over 735 roofs and delivering more than $5 million in aid since Melissa’s landfall. With this new partnership, both organizations are scaling up for a sustained, long-term commitment to support Jamaica through this challenging chapter.

This is solidarity in action—and together, we are stronger for the people of Jamaica. @afjcares is supporting this program along with @ncbfoundation and @wegmans. ...

Jamaica Health Sector Update: GEM in partnership with @iom.jamaica @iom.caribbean & @afjcares has been working around the clock to support Jamaica’s health-sector recovery following the devastating impact of #HurricaneMelissa. The destruction across the island has been unprecedented — with hundreds of health centers & hospitals damaged or destroyed — leaving hundreds of thousands of families without reliable access to essential care.

To help stabilize the public-health system and restore lifesaving services, we have launched an urgent program to install durable temporary roofing solutions using high-grade tarpaulins and structural reinforcements. These temporary roofs enable medical teams to safely reopen facilities and resume operations for thousands of patients. In 2026, this program will expand to include full repairs and restoration.

This operation is being carried out under the direction and oversight of Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, Chief Medical Officer of Jamaica, in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

In addition to temp roof restoration, we are supporting the wider public-health network with essential supplies, including:
• Heavy-duty tarpaulins and complete shelter kits for displaced healthcare workers, essential service providers, and vulnerable households.
• Urgently needed bottled water, cleaning products, and hygiene supplies delivered to Parish Managers for distribution across hospitals, clinics, and health facilities in each parish.

Completed Health Centers – Westmoreland:
• Darliston, Cornwall Mountain, Williamsfield, Baulk, George’s Plain, Grange Hill, Jerusalem, Little London, Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland Health Department, Beeston Spring, New Hope-Beeston Spring, Whitehouse, Bethel Town, Lambs River, Negril
St. Elizabeth, Newmarket, Maggotty ,Brases River, Hanover in progress, Noel Holmes Hospital
Overall GEM Impact to Date - This initiative is just one of many emergency programs underway. To date, GEM has already delivered:
•Pallets: 1,702
•Value: $4,918,733.29
•Weight: 2,209,490 lbs
•Planes: 21
•Containers: 18
•Ships: 2 (to learn more or donate please visit the link in our bio above) #jamaica ...

GAZA UPDATE — Our @globalempowermentmission MENA branch has significantly increased its operational output across Gaza since summer 2025.

Coordinating large-scale humanitarian response efforts is never simple — it requires extraordinary logistical coordination, proven systems, and precision at every level. True impact depends on the seamless alignment of methods, infrastructure, and partnerships working in unison to deliver life-saving aid where it’s needed most. GEM ensures donors that aid gets distributed directly into civilian hands. We don’t do drops, we meet the families and bring not only aid but smiles and hope.

GEM MENA is now scaling up operations even more to expand both reach and efficiency throughout the region. This expansion would not be possible without the shared vision, resources, and unwavering commitment of our partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to @hcicanada , @rapidreliefteam_uk, @samaritanspurse, @wop_ev , and many others who make this work possible. #Humanity @globalempowermentmissionmena ...

First series of photos from GEM’s 15-year anniversary kick off campaign. This was an immersive celebration at our 60,000-square-foot @prologis warehouse. The event took place at our global headquarters which fuels our worldwide disaster-response operations.

What began as a small grassroots initiative has evolved into one of the most innovative and effective forces in global disaster relief. Today, GEM’s nine international branches deliver rapid, life-saving assistance within hours of disaster striking, while simultaneously executing long-term recovery programs that help communities rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient than before.

The milestone event was hosted by Founder and President @michaelcapponi together with GEM’s Executive Board. In a powerful address, Capponi shared the organization’s remarkable journey — from its inception during the 2010 Haiti earthquake response to becoming a global model for efficiency, accountability, and compassion in humanitarian aid.

The evening featured a special video message from Miami-Dade County Mayor @mayordlc recognizing GEM’s longstanding partnership with the county and its unwavering commitment to both local and international relief efforts. Several aid recipients also shared emotional testimonials, describing how GEM’s support transformed their lives in times of profound crisis.

Adding an artistic dimension to the celebration, Miami-based artist @petertunney donated several original works for auction, with proceeds directly supporting GEM’s ongoing global missions.

Distinguished guests and dignitaries in attendance included @romarley, @indiahicksstyle , Former Miss Jamaica and Miss World @toniannsingh , Patrick Morris, @mattibower Commissioner @daniellecohenhiggins , @darielfernandez , @alinagarciamiami @councilwomandignacabral , and @fabiolastuyvesant — each representing the diverse network of partners, supporters, and changemakers who have helped power GEM’s mission over the past decade and a half. @globalempowermentmission ...

We are rapidly moving large-scale humanitarian aid into Jamaica through our Smart Partnership Model — a proven system that brings together logistics, product donors, and global transport partners to maximize impact.

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) is proud to collaborate with @airlinkflight and @dhlus @dhl_global ensuring critical supplies reach the hardest-hit regions efficiently and effectively.

This hurricane has been catastrophic on every level, devastating a highly populated island and affecting over 2 million people. @globalempowermentmission is spearheading the supply chain flow, mobilizing our extensive network of hundreds of product donors, including @Good360, to deliver essential relief.

A heartfelt thank you to all our generous transport and logistics partners whose support makes these missions possible. To date, we have brought in over 500 Metric Tonnes (1.1 M lbs) of critical life saving supplies into #Jamaica. #hurricanemelissa ...

Teams in #accompong last night supporting the #maroon people. These are some of the deeper areas that have not yet received aid. We still have hundreds of small villages to examine and support. This system is scaling daily.

Special thanks to all our other partners whose collective support has helped us with our distribution plans and goals.
@sflcaribbeanstrong @lyn.thalia @afjcares @good360usa @romarley @cedellamarley @iomjamaica @bobmarleyfoundation @irie @iriefoundation @ghettoyouthsfoundation @goldeneye @goldeneye_foundation
@iom.jamaica @bethennyfrankel @airlink @direalshaggy @aerialrecoverygroup ...

3 trucks loaded with emergency supplies in #Kingston ready to deliver into hardest hit areas tomorrow morning. This will continue on a daily basis for this phase. @afjcares @bethennyfrankel @romarley @lyn.thalia @good360usa #jamaica #hurricanemelissa #odpem ...

Hurricane Melissa Phase 1 strategy.

We want our donors and partners to clearly understand GEM Bstrong’s logistical capabilities and how our system operates in real time.

Through our strategic partnership with @good360usa, @amazon along with numerous corporate partners, local communities, and the Caribbean diaspora across the U.S., GEM coordinates one of the most efficient aid pipelines in the region.

All donated goods are collected, processed, and consolidated by @globalempowermentmission before being shipped daily via cargo planes and weekly through container blocks to our warehouses in Kingston, Jamaica. GEM Caribbean is officially registered in Kingston with Jamaican staff and MOU’s with Jamaica’s Disaster Agency Odpem.

From there, GEM’s fleet of flatbeds and vehicles delivers aid directly to affected areas. We then establish distribution hubs throughout the country, ensuring that vital supplies reach those in need as quickly and efficiently as possible. This is the first phase of our structured, end-to-end relief system.

By supporting GEM, you can be ensured that aid will be delivered directly into people’s hands by GEM. #jamaica #hurricanemelissa #bstrong ...

Our GEM USA West branch has been actively supporting Western Alaska Native communities devastated by Typhoon Halong, one of the strongest storm systems to hit the region in over 50 years. The storm impacted more than 40 villages across the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta and Bering Sea coast, flooding entire towns, destroying homes, and displacing over 2,000 residents, predominantly from Alaska Native tribes such as the Yup’ik, Cup’ik, Inupiaq, and Unangan/Aleut peoples.

To address both immediate and long-term needs, GEM is distributing its BStrong cash assistance cards, Family Necessities Kits (adapted for Arctic conditions), and our @flewthecoop_ emergency supply boxes, providing essentials like insulated blankets, shelf-stable food, generators, hygiene items, and children’s supplies.

For the past three years, GEM has been operating a Tribal Impact Program, designed specifically to support Indigenous communities facing disasters, infrastructure loss, and cultural displacement. Through this program, we partner directly with Tribal Councils—ensuring local leadership remains at the center of decision-making.

Our work is not only about relief. It’s about protecting tribal sovereignty, cultural continuity, and the right of Native families to stay together on their lands. Special thanks to our local ground partners, Rotary Club District 5010 Alaska. To learn more about our tribal impact program please visit our link tree. #alaska #typhoonhalong #bstrong @rotarydistrict5010 ...