GEM 2022  Mission

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

U.S. Press On GEM Ukraine Missions
The Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror
Designer with royal roots charts her own course
in Forney
Airbnb Prioritizes Refugee Support with a $2 Million Initiative
New York Times
Bucha Gets a Remake, but Pain Lingers Behind the Facade
Short Term Rentalz
Airbnb.org starts $2m sponsorship initiative to support refugees
Fox News
Russian shelling kills two in Kharkiv
TVP World
Flooded buildings could collapse in Kherson after dam destruction: expert
Egypt Independent
‘What is there to be afraid of?’ Ukrainians in battered southern town hopeful about counteroffensive
EA Worldview
Ukraine War, Day 469: Putin’s “Environmental Bomb”? The Destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam
The Guardian
Thousands flee homes as collapse of dam is blamed on Russian forces
Yahoo Finance
Huge Record Shipment of Nearly One Billion Seeds Donated to Ukrainian Families Affected by the War
Ukrainian News
The Americans are completing the reconstruction of the infamous Vokzalnaya street in Bucha – 50 houses restored
CNN
Howard Buffett speaks to CNN after his latest trip to Ukraine
PBS Newshour
As war rages on, Ukraine begins costly reconstruction while fighting corruption
Konkurent
GEM Volunteers Deliver Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine’s Hottest Spots
Virgin
Richard Branson and Howard G. Buffett discuss supporting Ukraine and the fight for global justice and democracy
PBS Newshour
As War Rages On, Ukraine Begins Costly Reconstruction While Fighting Corruption
The Story Exchange
One Year After the Russian Invasion, Here Are 7 Charities Providing Aid to Ukrainians
Yahoo News
Life in Ukraine’s Ghost Towns
Odessa Journal
The Ukrainian House in Davos opens its doors from January 16 to 19
TVP World
There is no handbook for humanitarian aid, each disaster is different: GEM founder
TVP World
World for Ukraine international summit concludes in southeastern Poland
Airbnb News
Two years later: Airbnb.org’s support for communities around the world
2 Paragraphs
Pelé, 82, Announces Cristiano Ronaldo Award During World Cup
The Story Exchange
Feeling Charitable? Here Are 7 Organizations Providing Aid to Ukrainians
News 12
Stamford resident spends months in Ukraine providing aid through nonprofit USA For Ukraine
New York Times
One Big Problem for Ukraine Is Clear: Glass
NBC News
Ukrainian students return to class as organizations work to rebuild schools
New York Times
First Day of School in Ukraine, Upended by the Bleak Season of War
Philly Sports Network
Philadelphia Union icons will play at Subaru Park one more time in ‘Legends for Peace’ charity game
TMZ
STRONG SUPPORT FOR VOGUE SHOOT ... From Ukrainian Relief Orgs
Israel 21c
Ukrainian refugee kids get smart classrooms to continue studies
Fox 13
Utah company to send 7,000 hygiene kits to those still living in Ukraine
NBC Miami
South Florida-based Network Gives Inside Look at Helping Ukrainians Survive
Short Term Rentalz
Airbnb.org announces partnerships to house 100k Ukrainian refugees
NBC News
Americans help to deliver critical aid to Ukraine
Palm Beach Daily News
Ukraine Refugee Fund gets another matching grant; $700,000 already given to groups helping refugees
Hollywood Reporter
Bethenny Frankel on Providing Disaster Relief for Ukraine, Raising Nearly $20M
ABC News
Q&A: Bethenny Frankel eyes $100M goal for Ukraine relief
Why Prince Charles’s goddaughter has swapped the Bahamas for the Ukrainian border
NBC News
‘I’m feeling hopeless’: African students desperate after escaping Sumy war zone
ABC News
Number of refugees fleeing Ukraine grows to more than 2.5 million
Fortune
Scammers are pretending to raise money for Ukraine. Here’s how to make sure your donation goes to the right place.
The Joel Foundation To Donate Aid For Ukrainian Refugee Relief
MSNBC
How Americans can help the people of Ukraine
The Richest
Bethenny Frankel’s Foundation Raises $25 Million For Ukraine
CBS News
Charities helping Ukrainians in need
NBC Miami
‘A Frightening Situation': South Florida Sends Supplies, Support to Ukrainians
Today
How to help Ukraine: 7 verified charities working to help Ukrainians amid invasion

International Press on GEM Ukraine Missions

Dumka Media
У проєкт Фундації Олени Зеленської потрапили дві великі прийомні родини з Харківської області: Що відомо
Pivden Ukraine
БЛАГОДІЙНИКИ В МИЛІВСЬКУ ГРОМАДУ ДОСТАВИЛИ ПИТНУ БУТИЛЬОВАНУ ВОДУ
Nikopol News
Збільшено кількість продуктових наборів: яку благодійну допомогу отримала Нікопольщина
Rubryka
Рішення для відбудови: на Київщині у пошкоджених будинках встановили вже майже 4 000 вікон
ITV UA
Тисячі вікон від Global Empowerment Mission встановлені у Приірпінні
Nash Kiev
На Київщині встановили близько 4 тисяч вікон у пошкоджених будинках
Pokrovsk News
У пошкоджених будинках Покровської громади встановлять близько 2500 вікон за підтримки благодійників
Vgorode UA
У ШЕВЧЕНКІВСЬКОМУ РАЙОНІ БЕЗКОШТОВНО ЗАМІНЯТЬ ВІКНА, ПОШКОДЖЕНІ ВІД ВОРОЖИХ АТАК
SLK KU UA
Спецшколу в Харкові допоможуть відновити швейцарські партнери
Kharkiv Today
Школу для незрячих в Харькове будет отстраивать Швейцария
Polsat News
ВОЛОНТЕРИ ГО "НАША СПРАВА ПОЛТАВЩИНА" ВІДВІДАЛИ НОВОСАНЖАРСЬКУ ГРОМАДУ.
My Kyiv Region
Вантажівки благодійного фонду GEM прямують на допомогу українцям (ФОТО)
DDK DN UA
Продуктові набори для гірників Новогродівської ТГ
Nikopol News
Мешканцям Нікопольщини видали 3 456 продуктових наборів та 424 728 літрів бутильованої води
Kakhovka Rayon
ВПО з Каховки можуть отримати гуманітарну допомогу в Києві
LMN
Вікна в дитсадку «Казка» у Львові замінять коштом американських благодійників
Suspilne News
У Львові вікна в садочку, біля якого впала ракета, замінять коштом благодійників зі США
Donetska ODA
Центр підтримки ВПО Маріупольського району "Серце Сходу" у місті Дніпро надає допомогу
Ukrainian News
American benefactors will replace over 80,000 windows all over Ukraine by the end of the year
Suspilne News
Відбудова Ірпеня: як відновлюють приватний сектор на вул. Багірова та Гостомельському шосе
Tvoyemisto
НАСЛІДКИ НАЙМАСШТАБНІШОЇ РАКЕТНОЇ АТАКИ ПО ЛЬВОВУ. ЩО ВЖЕ ПОЛАГОДИЛИ
Nikopol News
З початку серпня мешканці Нікопольщини отримали 100 тисяч літрів питної води (фото)
Odessa Life
Известный американский предприниматель покупает окна для одесситов
Konkurent
Russia is planning a terrorist attack in Belarus to draw it into a war with Ukraine
Nikopol News
Нікополь отримав гумдопомогу від США: продуктові набори і воду вже роздають мешканцям
Vgoru
До Бериславського району доставили гуманітарну допомогу: 20 тисяч літрів води та продуктові набори
Poltava News
ОРТОПЕДИЧНІ МАТРАЦИ ДЛЯ РОДИН, ЯКІ ПОСТРАЖДАЛИ ВІД ВІЙНИ
Kyivschina 24
Бучанська громада передала автомобіль швидкої допомоги 57-ій окремій мотопіхотній бригаді
My Kyiv Region
Андрій Негрич, директор представництва (GEM) в Україні (ВІДЕО)
У Львові розпочали встановлювати нові вікна у будинках, які постраждали від ракетного удару
zaxid
У Львові в постраждалих від російської ракети будинках встановлюють нові вікна.
Ужгородка
У Львові встановили понад сотню вікон у будинках після російського обстрілу
Most News
4 села на Херсонщині отримали питну воду від благодійників
My Kyiv Region
У Бучі відкрили новий офіс КП "Бучасервіс" (ФОТО)
Okhtyrkamr Gov
Висловлюємо щиру вдячність благодійному фонду
My Kyiv Region
GEM в Україні Андрій Негрич: наші волонтери йдуть до кінця
Nikopol News
У Марганці роздали продуктові набори 1138 місцевим мешканцям
Most News
Мешканці Садового, що неподалік Херсона, отримали гуманітарну допомогу
Rubryka
Вікна на мільйон доларів: Київщина вже отримала партію склопакетів
Bikha
Шокований незламністю місцевих! Як волонтер зі США приїхав допомагати людям у Херсоні
Konkurent
Життя у воді: що відбувається на Херсонщині після підриву Каховської ГЕС (відео)
Procherk Info
Стало відомо, що робитимуть з будинком в Умані, в який влучила ракета
Konkurent
Луцькі волонтери відвезли сотні пакунків для сімей затопленої Херсонщини
Свободна Европа
Тогава и сега: Възраждането на Буча
Radio Svoboda
Буча під час вторгнення й окупації РФ та рік по тому
Most News
Благодійники передали жителям Чорнобаївки генератори
Indigo Buzz
Airbnb offre un logement gratuit aux réfugiés ukrainiens
UKR inform
Reconstruction works start for houses destroyed by Russian attacks in Kyiv region’s Irpin

Live Updates

Play Video
Play Video
Play Video
Play Video
Play Video
Play Video

Logistical Operations

Warsaw Poland

30,000 sq ft warehouse / 2500 Pallet Slots 

Kyiv Ukraine

74,500 sq ft warehouse / 5000 Pallet Slots

Our work in 2023 is in full partnership with The Howard G Buffett Foundation

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Summary Stats

What we've accomplished to date

0
Total Relocations
0
Trucks of aid delivered inside Ukraine and neighboring countries
$ 0
In aid committed for 2022/2023
$ 0
Shipped and delivered aid to date
0
Trucks delivered inside Ukraine
0
Individuals placed in temporary housing
0
Containers received from USA
0
Ukrainian cities serviced
0
Emergency war zone extractions
0
Buildings repaired
0
Windows Installed to Date
0
Window Replacements In Progress
0
Homes repaired

GEM BStrong has provided significant relief aid to the following 983 cities, towns, and villages

(map does not include relocations)

Phase 1: Disaster Relief

We established solutions, partnerships and strategies to recognize and assist all those affected, not only in Ukraine, but those displaced in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, Georgia, and beyond.

Border Refugee Support

On February 25, 2022, the second day of the invasion, GEM BStrong arrived in Medyka, Poland, along the Ukrainian-Polish border offering aid and support to refugees fleeing Ukraine.

Relocations

In March 2022, GEM Bstrong established partnerships with the former first lady of Poland, Jolanta Kwaśniewska, Why Not Travel, and Airbnb. This program relocated 38,744 Ukrainian refugees to over 40 countries and placed 13,624 people in temporary housing. Today our relocation program is ongoing and focused mainly on European travel or Ukrainians returning back home.

Aid Distributions throughout the region

In March 2022, GEM activated its partnership with professional military NGOs such as Arial Recovery Group and many others. During this period, getting aid inside Ukraine required highly advanced tactics and methods. Since then, GEM has now established partnerships with over 150 vetted Ukrainian and European NGOs. To date, we have sent over 750 trucks into the region spanning 170 towns and cities. GEM and our partners have been distributing vital supplies to multiple towns on a daily basis for the last 10 months as the crisis continues.

Phase 2: The Gap Period​​

Due to the unique circumstances in Ukraine, it’s critical that aid continues to flow to the millions of in country displaced persons who are currently moving around from city to city to avoid bombings. This is called the gap period.

Smart Classes

Smart Classes are an education initiative to provide displaced children with classrooms and resources to continue their schooling. In partnership with SmartAid, classes have been established in Poland, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine. Every classroom is equipped with all the technology needed for students to maintain their learning, while following the Ukrainian Ministry of Education’s curriculum.

Government Partnership

In May 2022, GEM and UA partner Life Quality established memorandums of understanding with many regional governors and mayors throughout Ukraine. GEM supplies these regional government hubs with aid and winterization supplies on a weekly basis. Government partnerships in place with Bucha, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Odessa, Mykolaiv and Kviv regions.

Supporting newly liberated towns and cities

Recently many areas of Ukraine have been successfully liberated. Some of these villages, cities, and regions had seen up to 8 months of occupation, where access to proper resources were unavailable. Those in these regions have not seen outside assistance this entire time, and were at direct risk during the occupation period. Our GEM Ukraine team works closely with local government, partners, and intel to bring aid into these recently liberated areas within days, such as Kherson, Donetsk, Iziym, Avdiivka, and many more. Again, these individuals have not had any outside aid or assistance and this is the first relief they have had in months.

Winterization

With average temperatures of below 0 Celsius, the approaching winter has been a concern for the last few months. GEM was able to plan accordingly for this cold weather and has been supplying life-saving aid beforehand. This includes thousands of warm blankets and bedding, generators, small space heaters, fire starter kits, and more. Additionally, our rebuilding efforts were extra necessary in order to quickly repair broken windows and heating units before temperatures dropped and rain and snow fell.

Invincibility

The Ukraine government & President’s office has created thousands of ‘Invincibility Points’ throughout the country, offering a space where locals can come get hot meals, access to device chargers, a warm space, supplies, and community support. GEM is presently supporting over 200 of these points, providing self-heating warm meals, blankets, generators, and other area-specific supplies. As more of these points are established, we will be able to assist many more locals routinely throughout Ukraine.

Phase 3: Sustainable Development

GEM, in partnership with Life Quality, has activated its Phase 3 rebuild programs in response to an overwhelming desire for Ukrainians to return back home to a sense a normalcy and hope for the future.

Vital Repairs

These repairs include supplying communities with sustenance supplies until they are fully back up and running. During this phase, we have committed to rebuilding and light repair work on hundreds of homes, apartment buildings, schools, medical centers, and more. These projects have allowed for hundreds of people to return to their homes, thousands of students to return to school, and for the local economy to be refreshed. All rebuild work is performed in low-risk areas where critical risk assessment measures have been taken.

Front Line Support

In partnership with the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, major distributions along the active front lines have been taking place in the most needed areas. These communities are the hardest to reach and can be without support for months on end. We have been able to supply dozens of villages with Family Necessity Kits, generators, blankets, and more. We send multiple semi-trucks to these regions weekly.

Recent Missions

Floods
2023
United States
GEM is prepositioned to immediately deploy to flooding disasters in the United States. We are presently responding to the historic flooding in Vermont, and will be distributing trucks of Family Necessity Kits, water, hygiene, mattresses, and more.