Communities in Crisis
A community that has been stuck by an unforeseen crisis disrupts and changes the lives of all residents. GEM is committed to responding and offering support in the most compassionate way during these times. Whether it be through financial assistance via our BStrong Cash Cards, our Family Necessity Kits, hotel stays, and more, GEM’s response to Communities in Crisis is fluid depending on the situation. We work closely with community leaders and government to develop a targeted assistance response, and are motivated to do so in the most efficient way, always prioritizing the well-being of those affected. Overall, our goal is to promote hope, empowerment, and strength within these communities.
Tragedy
2025
Myanmar
On March 28th, a massive 7.7 quake struck near Myanmar’s city of Mandalay, followed by a 6.4 aftershock. The effects of the quake has trapped hundreds of people inside destroyed buildings and rubble, with crews working to free stuck people.
Fires
2023
United States
On January 28, a 75 unit apartment complex in Miami Gardens suffered major devastation due to a fire. More than half the units are completely destroyed, with the remainder being inhabitable due to extreme fire, smoke, and water damage.
Tragedy
2022
United States
On May 24, 2022, a gunman fatally shot nineteen students and two teachers and wounded many others at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Fires
2022
United States
On January 9, 2022, a malfunctioning space heater was the source of an apartment building fire in the Bronx that killed 17 people including eight children, making it one of the worst fires in the city.
Tragedy
2021
United States
On November 5th, 2021 a crowd surge at a Houston music festival turned into a deadly tragedy, with eight killed and many injured.
Sustainability
2021
United States
Due to the latest circumstances, homelessness in the United States has dramatically increased and as of 2021 there are currently 552,830 estimated to be homeless.
Tragedy
2021
United States
On June 24, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m. EDT, Champlain Towers South, a 12-story beachfront condominium building in the Miami suburb of Surfside, Florida, United States, partially collapsed.
Pandemics
2021
India
The India variant – officially called B.1.617.2 – is one of four mutated versions of coronavirus which have been designated as being “of serious concern”.
Migration
2020
Lebanon
On August 4, 2020, two explosions occurred in the city of Beirut, Lebanon. The explosions caused 177 deaths, 6,000 injuries, and billions in property damage, leaving 300,000 people homeless.
Sustainability
2020
United States
On May 26, 2020, an ongoing series of civil unrest protests began across the U.S. that caused businesses to close and impacted local economies to a collective $500 million loss.
Sustainability
2001
United States
On September 11, there was a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States, where 2,977 lives were lost with more than 25,000 injuries.