Live Updates

Ukraine Program Update 🇺🇦

Morning meetings @globalempowermentmissionua with our aid warriors. These teams have been working diligently for over 4 straight years to assist #Ukrainians in extremely difficult times of #war.

@globalempowermentmission in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, continues to operate one of the largest sustained humanitarian responses in Ukraine, delivering assistance at scale across six active war-affected regions.

Q1 #2026 operational output:

• 1,231 trucks delivered to front line regions
• 30,623 pallets distributed
• $19,059,306 in aid delivered
• 24,812 windows installed
• 6,000,012 liters of water distributed
• 54,723,623 meals provided
• 960,039 family necessity kits delivered

These figures reflect continued expansion of a logistics-driven model designed to reach over 1,100 communities monthly, supporting nearly 800,000 individuals through integrated programming across food security, WASH, shelter, and livelihoods.

Since the onset of the war, GEM’s cumulative delivery in Ukraine includes:

• 11,671 trucks delivered
• 285,764 pallets distributed
• $334,386,686 in total aid delivered
• 322,791 windows installed
• 52,733,721 liters of water distributed
• 525,704,804 non perishable meals provided
• 8,712,091 family necessity kits delivered

This scale has been achieved through a lean, partnership-based operating model that prioritizes throughput, rapid deployment, and direct-to-family distribution, ensuring both efficiency and accountability in high-complexity environments.

As the conflict enters another prolonged phase, the focus remains on maintaining continuity of essential services while advancing durable recovery solutions, particularly in shelter and community-level resilience.

#ukraine ...

This past week, the Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management led Operation Lasso III, a full-scale exercise designed to strengthen the region’s ability to rapidly establish Family Reception Centers (FRCs) and Family Assistance Centers (FACs) in the aftermath of a Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack (CCTA).

The operation placed a strong emphasis on speed, coordination, and seamless regional collaboration across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties, ensuring a unified response when it matters most.

GEM was honored to attend this multi-agency drill, which simulated a large-scale emergency response as part of ongoing preparedness efforts ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. @miamidadeem ...

Hurricane Melissa , Jamaica Update

As we close out the first quarter of 2026, GEM Caribbean has continued to lead large-scale humanitarian operations across #Jamaica following the devastating impact of #HurricaneMelissa. Through a rapid, coordinated response grounded in our smart partnership model, we have delivered 3,086 pallets of life-saving aid, representing over $16.2 million in value and more than 4.1 million pounds of critical supplies.

This effort has been executed through a robust logistics operation, including 25 cargo aircraft, 73 ocean containers, and 7 vessels, ensuring consistent, scalable delivery.

In parallel with emergency relief, GEM Caribbean has advanced early recovery efforts, completing more than 125 roof repairs for vulnerable households, restoring safety, dignity, and stability.

Beyond immediate relief and shelter, GEM Caribbean has implemented targeted stabilization initiatives across key sectors, including school interventions with generators, roof repairs, temporary classrooms, and food and cleaning supplies to support continuity in education.

Healthcare systems have also been prioritized, with stabilization of hospitals and health centers across western parishes through temporary support, assistance to medical staff, and delivery of essential medical, water, and hygiene supplies.

To address prolonged outages, GEM Caribbean has installed more than 200 solar street lights across affected communities, improving safety and restoring normalcy.

Weekly community interventions continue to provide clothing, shoes, hygiene and cleaning supplies, alongside structured activities for children in vulnerable areas.

Together with our public and private partners, GEM Caribbean remains committed to supporting Jamaica’s recovery with speed, efficiency, and sustained impact.
@sflcaribbeanstrong @lyn.thalia @afjcares @romarley @iomjamaica @wegmans @bobmarleyfoundation @irie @odpem @ghettoyouthsfoundation @jdfsoldier @direalshaggy @royalcaribbean @iom.jamaica @foodforthepoorja @jdfsoldier @tdbank_us @wegmans @bankunited.official @crownfoundation @mairoliver @marlonhill @airlinkflight @dhlus @jetblue @pbunitedway @heartofoceanreef ...

in partnership with Human Concern International @hcicanada GEM MENA @globalempowermentmissionmena helped bring Eid Al-Fitr celebrations, and gifts to 3,500 orphaned children in Gaza, middle area and South Gaza.

For children, Eid Al-Fitr is a deeply anticipated time filled with happiness, gifts, and shared moments with others. Creating opportunities for celebration during Eid allows these children to momentarily step away from hardship, engage with peers, and feel included in a joyful and culturally significant occasion.

By offering a secure and uplifting environment, this intervention aims to boost children’s emotional resilience, strengthen their sense of belonging, and demonstrate HCI & GEM Mena’s ongoing dedication to supporting their overall well-being.

Because every child, no matter where they are born, deserves a moment of joy, and a future worth believing in. To learn more visit the link in our bio, or www.GEM.org ...

As the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East continues to unfold, GEM remains on the ground in Gaza, standing alongside families and people with disabilities who have been displaced and are facing unimaginable hardship.

Through the dedicated work of our GEM MENA team, and in partnership with Human Concern International, Samaritans Purse, and World Peace daily relief distributions are continuing for civilians living throughout Al-Mawasi Khanyounis, Middle area, Gaza City.

Each day, our teams are delivering essential supplies that help families maintain a sense of dignity and stability during an incredibly difficult time. These distributions include warm blankets, kitchen kits so families can prepare meals, Ramadan food parcels to support those observing the holy month, along with critical food and clean drinking water.

Behind every parcel delivered is a family doing their best to endure uncertainty while holding onto hope. For many, these supplies represent more than basic necessities, they are a reminder that they have not been forgotten. Your support makes this possible. Together we continue to stand with Gaza’s families.

GEM remains committed to working hand-in-hand with trusted humanitarian partners to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most directly, continuing our mission to provide relief, restore dignity, and support communities as they navigate the long road toward recovery. To learn more about these ongoing missions and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio. ...

In partnership with @samaritanspurse, GEM MENA @globalempowermentmissionmena recently had the honor of distributing crutches to athletes in Gaza who have lost their limbs.

What we witnessed was more than a delivery, it was a restoration of hope. The moment they stepped back onto the field, smiling, determined, and full of life, was a powerful reminder that the human spirit cannot be broken.

With these crutches, these athletes are not defined by what they’ve lost. They are empowered by what they still carry within them — resilience, courage, and a deep love for the game. Today, they’re back on the field. And that means everything. #gaza #gemmissions ...

STATE OF HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Program will Continue to Provide Specialized Support for Maui Wildfire Survivors

Governor Josh Green @govjoshgreen and the state of Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) @govhawaii today announced the extension of the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP).

The DCMP is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and connects survivors of disasters with specially trained disaster case managers (DCMs) to help assess and address their needs through a disaster recovery plan, which includes resources, decision-making priorities, providing guidance, and tools. The program was launched in November of 2023, following the devastating Maui wildfires, to ensure that survivors could access the resources and support needed on their paths to recovery. To date, the DCMP has helped more than 6,800 survivors access the help they need, connecting them with services worth more than $163 million.

This extension of the FEMA grant will culminate in the DCMP evolving from a state-led program to a Maui County-led program by August of 2026, which will enable the DCMP to continue its essential work in supporting survivors and to be more closely aligned with locally led recovery efforts. The DCMP will continue to provide services throughout this transition. Survivors currently participating in the DCMP do not need to take any action and will continue to receive services without interruption. [Read Full Announcement in Slides Above]…. @globalempowermentmissionhawaii @danielle.dreis ...

This winter in Gaza has been extraordinarily difficult for Palestinian families, with countless people displaced and exposed to harsh conditions.

Our @globalempowermentmissionmena branch in partnership with @hcicanada has delivered more than 10,000 tents and tarps, providing emergency shelter support for over 30,000 people in January 2026 alone.

Beyond shelter, our teams continue to distribute family necessity kits, large communal food provisions, and critical winter relief supplies including warm clothing, blankets, and other essential items, helping families endure the cold with dignity and protection.

In addition, through our partnership with @samaritanspurse, we are also delivering wheelchairs for elderly individuals and children who can no longer walk, bringing mobility, relief, and a measure of independence to some of the most vulnerable survivors of this crisis. ...

GEM Caribbean: Standing with Jamaica 🇯🇲

Our GEM Caribbean team continues leading large-scale relief and long-term recovery efforts across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. Millions of pounds of emergency aid have been deployed nationwide, reaching the hardest-hit communities with shelter kits, solar lamps, food, water, generators, bedding, and essential supplies.

With two permanent warehouses in Kingston and strong partnerships with @odpem @cdemacoordinatingunit @iom.jamaica @ghettoyouthsfoundation and @afjcares, GEM is ensuring coordinated, impactful support—especially for health centers and hospitals damaged by the storm. Our emergency roofing and reroof programs are already underway, restoring critical services and safe homes, with expanded repairs continuing into 2026.

Since Hurricane Beryl in 2024, GEM has completed 730+ roof repairs for Jamaican families—and we’re not stopping.

We were first on the ground, and we’ll be the last to leave. Long-term recovery. Real resilience. Special thanks to all our other partners whose collective support has helped us with our distribution plans and goals.
@sflcaribbeanstrong @lyn.thalia @ghettoyouthsfoundation @good360usa @romarley @iomjamaica @bobmarleyfoundation @irie @iriefoundation @julianrmarley @goldeneye @goldeneye_foundation
@iom.jamaica @bethennyfrankel @airlink #bstrong

#GEMCaribbean #JamaicaStrong #DisasterRecovery #LeadWithLove #HumanitarianAid #GEM #Bstrong ...

Ridge Kids Christmas Event: This past weekend, GEM USA West hosted our final holiday event of the year, serving 1,367 families, and the impact was truly unforgettable.

Once again, we were honored to join hands with @tzuchiusa Foundation and the Magalia Community Center to support families who have lost so much over the years—including our Park Fire families who faced devastating loss just last year.

Recovery begins immediately after disaster, but true healing and lasting impact can take years. That’s why these holiday events matter so deeply. By spreading a little mountain magic across the North State, we are empowering our youth—our future—by offering hope, light at the end of the tunnel, and reassurance to young hearts that they are not alone. That there is a world of support right here, through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).

At GEM, we remain committed to serving communities long after the cameras fade and the headlines move on. This event is a testament to that commitment: more than seven years later, Camp Fire families—and all families impacted by wildfires—remain in our hearts. We will continue to show up, to support, and to lead with love and light.

We were especially honored to have Santa and his friends join us, along with our incredible partners who make moments like these possible. Together, we can continue to build hope—one community, one family, and one child at a time. #GEM #Bstrong #parkfire #wildfires #california ...

This week, as part of our GEM–HGBF humanitarian missions, alongside our ongoing deliveries of food and water to eastern war torn regions of Ukraine. GEM President @michaelcapponi, Ukraine Programs Director @alina.kurs_ & our @globalempowermentmissionua teams brought Christmas gifts to children who continue to live with their parents in frontline communities.

This year’s gift packages included not only toys, but also a children’s book by author Devon Buffett, beautifully illustrated and translated into Ukrainian. The children’s genuine joy and radiant smiles as they received their gifts were deeply moving.

It is heartbreaking to witness childhood meant to be joyful, carefree, and full of possibility unfold instead in bomb shelters and under constant threat. Some of the villages we visited have lived without electricity for nearly three years, a stark reminder of the conditions these families endure.

We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity, even if only for a moment, to help ease these children’s fears and to bring them small but meaningful moments of happiness amid the realities of war.

#ukraine ...