Live Updates

GEM HQ Capacity Update | Miami-Dade County Only

These aerial views show our response infrastructure in Miami-Dade County. A special thanks to our long-time warehousing partner @prologis for their continued support in providing critical warehouse space that makes rapid response possible. And to Mayor @christifraga and the @cityofdoral.

Today, GEM is operating more than 655,000 square feet of warehouse space in Miami-Dade alone, all currently filled with life-saving aid, made possible by the extraordinary generosity of our donors, corporate partners and diaspora. To put this in perspective, this is roughly the equivalent of five full-size Costco warehouses, all dedicated to only humanitarian relief in our region.

This is the kind of scale and infrastructure that allows us to respond decisively and mobilize what we know will become the largest humanitarian response in Venezuela’s history. Our HQ infrastructure is always ready and able to respond to crises immediately.

Swipe through to see our capacity in action. GEM also operates multiple regional branches in the United States and globally across 4 continents. Our total global capacity nears 875,000 sq ft. This ensures we are ready and prepositioned when and where disaster strikes. @miamidadeem @miamidadecounty #infastructure #capacity #warehousing @globalempowermentmission ...

Thanks to the support of the U.S. @statedept and @usembassybogota, GEM LATAM teams continue expanding humanitarian operations across Colombia, delivering critical aid directly to communities impacted by the devastating earthquake.

In Valle del Cauca, GEM ground teams are working alongside local governments, private-sector partners, community leaders, and fellow humanitarian organizations to coordinate relief efforts and reach families still awaiting assistance.

Yesterday, operations focused on Bugalagrande, where GEM teams reached 800 families in rural and underserved communities that had not yet received humanitarian aid. Among those served were 75 families forced to evacuate their apartment building after earthquake damage left the structure unsafe.

GEM Colombia Humanitarian Response to Date:
• 219,917 lbs / 99.75 metric tons of humanitarian aid shipped
• $1,704,484.78 in humanitarian aid delivered
• 232 pallets of aid shipped
• 12,545 GEM Family Necessity Kits deployed
• 4 humanitarian cargo flights delivered

GEM continues its partnership with First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda’s Colombia Un Solo Corazón initiative and Solidaridad por Colombia, while strengthening our logistics network across Medellín, Pereira, and Cali and building dedicated Colombian ground teams capable of reaching affected communities throughout the country.

From major cities to rural communities that have yet to receive assistance, GEM remains committed to going where the need is greatest and staying for the long road to recovery.

To support GEM’s Colombia Earthquake Response, donate, volunteer, or learn more through the link in our bio or at GEM.org.

#Colombia #ColombiaEarthquake #HumanitarianAid #DisasterRelief #ColombiaUnSoloCorazón ...

Special thanks to our incredible partners at @dhlus @dhllatam @dhlexpress and the U.S. @statedept for their continued support of GEM’s humanitarian response in #Colombia.

Another DHL cargo flight has just landed in Bogotá carrying critical humanitarian aid for communities impacted by the recent disasters.

DHL has transported 43 tons of GEM aid so far, with many more flights scheduled. To date, @globalempowermentmissionlatam has delivered more than 150 tons of humanitarian aid into Colombia.

Grateful for partnerships that help us move aid quickly and efficiently to the communities that need it most. 🇺🇸🇨🇴 @usembassybogota @fundacionsolidaridadxcol #colombiaunsolocorazon ...

GEM in partnershiip with @colombiaembassyus and US @statedept continues to rapidly expand its humanitarian response across Colombia, reaching communities heavily impacted by the recent earthquake.

In Valle del Cauca, teams have expanded operations to Buenaventura on Colombia’s Pacific Coast and La Unión in the north. In parallel, another GEM crew has deployed to Quibdó, Chocó, to receive humanitarian aid transported from our logistics hub in Cali.

GEM has been on the ground since Day 1. In just the first week:

• 171,836 lbs / 77.94 metric tons of humanitarian aid shipped
• $1.36 million in humanitarian aid delivered
• 188 pallets shipped
• 12,185 GEM Family Necessity Kits deployed
• 2 humanitarian cargo flights delivered

In partnership with First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda’s initiative Colombia un solo Corazón, and together with Solidaridad por Colombia, GEM is establishing regional logistics hubs in Medellín, Pereira, and Cali while building dedicated Colombian teams to serve affected communities nationwide.

GEM continues coordinating closely with local and national authorities while maintaining full control of warehousing, inventory, logistics, and direct distribution ensuring aid moves quickly, efficiently, transparently, and directly into the hands of survivors.

Collecting aid is only the beginning. Getting it where it needs to go, and into the hands of those who need it most, is what defines an effective humanitarian response.

Our work in Colombia is only beginning. To help, donate, or learn more, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org. ...

Every humanitarian mission is powered by people who show up and that includes the incredible kitchens working behind the scenes.

Over the past weeks, local restaurants have generously kept our volunteers fed, allowing our teams to stay focused on what matters most: delivering life-saving aid to families affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela & Colombia.

Generosity multiplies. Every meal you send our way, helps keep us moving, so we could keep moving for Venezuela & Colombia.

THIS is what COMMUNITY response looks like. We could not have done it without you.

To donate Food for our Volunteers, please email: [email protected] ...

Please share this post and help make a difference for this affected by the Earthquake in Colombia. For additional information, visit: GEM.org ...

🇨🇴 COLOMBIA EARTHQUAKE | GEM RESPONSE

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure across the region, with injuries reported as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the impact.

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) has already deployed ground teams en route to affected communities to assess immediate needs, coordinate with local partners and authorities, and determine where critical humanitarian assistance is needed most.

The earthquake was centered near San José del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó region, approximately 250 miles west of Bogotá. A 5.0 magnitude aftershock followed less than an hour later.

The force of the earthquake was felt across a wide area, prompting evacuations as far away as Bogotá. Strong shaking was also reported along Colombia’s Caribbean coast in Barranquilla and across the border in neighboring Ecuador.

As aftershocks continue and the full scale of the damage becomes clearer, GEM teams are mobilizing to support impacted individuals and families.

We will continue to provide updates from the ground as our teams reach affected communities and assessments are completed. www.GEM.org ...

Meet the Team | Alina Kurska Capponi | International Affairs Director & Ukraine Programs Director

International cooperation has shaped Alina’s journey, from diplomacy and international relations to humanitarian action. At GEM, she serves as International Affairs Director and Ukraine Programs Director, leading international engagement and strategic partnerships. Alina manages the portfolio of programs through GEM’s partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation across Ukraine.

Alina graduated magna cum laude from the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a master’s degree in International Relations, Social Communication, and Regional Studies.

She began her humanitarian journey as a student while volunteering with Amnesty International. After graduation, she joined Yalta European Strategy (YES) as International Projects Coordinator, contributing to high-level international events on security and Ukraine’s future.

From 2021–2023, Alina was selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to serve as Ukrainian Youth Delegate to the @unitednations . In 2022, she addressed the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, calling for youth cooperation for peace.

At the onset of the war in Ukraine, Alina began leading the Relocation Project for former First Lady of Poland, Jolanta Kwaśniewska. In partnership with GEM, the project relocated more than 38,000 Ukrainians to over 40 countries. After the project concluded, Alina joined the GEM team.

In 2023, she completed the U.S. @statedept International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), on Regional Responses to Refugees and Migration. Today, Alina leads GEM’s cooperation with international governments, foundations, donors, and private sector partners.

She frequently participates in GEM’s humanitarian missions worldwide, including Ukraine, Türkiye, Haiti, Venezuela, Japan, Syria, Israel, Jamaica, Egypt, and other countries.

In 2024, Alina received the Youth Humanitarian Hero Award at AidEx Geneva. Alina believes that the true strength of international cooperation lies in trust and a shared commitment to a common purpose. ...

WASHINGTON STATE WILDFIRES | Distribution Day 2 on the ground in Spokane, Washington.

Today, our GEM USA West team continued setting up operations at the Spokane Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), preparing resources and critical supplies to support individuals and families impacted by the devastating wildfires across the region.

Working alongside Emergency Management and local partners, GEM is helping create a coordinated response so displaced families and those who have lost homes can access the assistance they need as recovery begins.

With wildfires still burning across Washington and many communities facing significant loss, our team remains fully deployed and ready to serve.

For those impacted, the road ahead will take time. GEM will continue standing alongside these communities, not only through the immediate emergency, but throughout the recovery ahead.

More updates from the ground to come.

To support GEM’s disaster response efforts, visit GEM.org.

#GEMUSAWest #WashingtonWildfires #WildfireResponse #DisasterRelief #WashingtonState ...

WASHINGTON STATE WILDFIRES | GEM USA WEST RESPONSE

More than 840 structures destroyed. Tens of thousands forced to evacuate. Thousands of firefighters on the front lines.

GEM USA West is actively deployed in Washington, delivering critical humanitarian aid to individuals and families impacted by the devastating wildfires.

Working alongside Emergency Management, local communities, Tribal partners, and trusted organizations, our team is coordinating GEM resources through the Spokane Disaster Assistance Center (DAC), helping ensure aid reaches families who have lost their homes, been displaced, or otherwise affected.

The Spokane Complex fires, including the Old Trails, Autumn Lane, and Fairview fires, have burned more than 10,000 acres. And the threat is not over.

With multiple wildfires still burning across Washington, including on Tribal lands, Red Flag Warnings remain in place as gusty winds and low humidity could fuel further rapid fire spread.

For families who have lost homes, belongings, and a sense of security in a matter of hours, recovery is only beginning. GEM will remain on the ground, standing alongside Washington’s impacted communities through the immediate response and the recovery ahead.

To support GEM’s disaster response efforts, visit GEM.org.

#WashingtonWildfires #WashingtonFires #WildfireResponse #DisasterRelief #WashingtonState ...

Mission Empowered | A Full Circle Moment | Congratulations to our GEM Haiti Graduates

Today, we proudly celebrate three remarkable young people whose lives embody the very heart of Global Empowerment Mission’s purpose.

In January 2010, Haiti was forever changed. After the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake, entire communities were reduced to rubble. Families who had lost everything sought refuge beneath tents, tarps, and makeshift shelters scattered across the soccer fields of Léogâne. What had once been a place of play became a place of survival.

It was there that GEM Founder Michael Capponi, alongside his mother Danoushka Capponi and founding Executive Board Member Felicia Marquez, met hundreds of young children camped out in tents.

Of the many, Bianca. Sylvania. Sébastien graduate today over 16 years later.

In the midst of unimaginable loss, they saw not only children in need, but lives filled with possibility. They made a simple promise: these children would not be forgotten.

When Global Empowerment Mission was formally established in Haiti in 2011, that promise became a long-term commitment. GEM ensured each of them had access to an education, encouragement, stability, and the opportunity to dream beyond the disaster that had defined their earliest memories.

Year after year, they persevered.
They studied, They grew, They refused to let tragedy determine their future.

Today, sixteen years later, that journey reaches a beautiful milestone. Bianca and Sylvania have earned their Certificates in Culinary Arts, equipping them with the skills to build meaningful careers and create opportunities for themselves and their families. Sébastien has graduated from high school and is preparing to pursue higher education in Accounting and Entrepreneurship, with dreams of building a successful future of his own. @danoushkannes @feliciamarquez #GEMHaiti #empowerment

Bianca Pierre
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Centre d’Art Ménagers Baptiste Eben Ezer de Jacmel

Sylvania Pierre
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Centre d’Art Ménagers Baptiste Eben Ezer de Jacmel (CAMBEJ)

Sébastien Philippe
High School Diploma
Future Major: Accounting & Entrepreneurship
Collège Hosanna ...

Director of Operations | Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) USA West

After rebuilding her own life following California’s devastating 2018 Camp Fire, Elizabeth C. Jernberg discovered that disaster recovery is more than a profession, it is her life’s calling.

As Executive Director of Operations for GEM USA West, Elizabeth leads disaster response and long-term recovery efforts across the western United States, overseeing humanitarian operations, logistics, strategic partnerships, and survivor-centered recovery programs that help communities rebuild stronger after disaster.

A proud member of the federally recognized Tachi Yokut Tribe, Elizabeth is passionate about serving Indigenous communities and advancing GEM’s Tribal Impact initiative through partnerships focused on preparedness, resilience, clean water access, and sustainable recovery. She believes that honoring culture, listening first, and building trust are essential to lasting change.

Elizabeth earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA), strengthening her expertise in executive leadership, organizational development, strategic planning, finance, marketing, and operations. With more than three decades of executive leadership experience spanning business, entrepreneurship, hospitality, education, and nonprofit management, Elizabeth brings a unique combination of operational expertise and lived experience to every mission.

Having lost her home, business, and nearly everything she owned in the Camp Fire, Elizabeth understands firsthand the emotional and practical challenges survivors face. That experience transformed personal tragedy into purpose and fuels her commitment to helping others recover with dignity, compassion, and hope.

Whether responding to wildfires, floods, or other disasters, Elizabeth believes recovery is about more than rebuilding homes, it’s about restoring hope, strengthening communities, and empowering people to move forward together.

“Leadership is not measured by the title we hold, but by the lives we impact, the hope we restore, and the communities we leave stronger than we found them.” ~Elizabeth C. Jernberg #GEMUSAWest ...