Live Updates

GEM Update: Earthquake Response in Myanmar

On March 28, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar—leaving widespread destruction in its wake. In the weeks since, Global Empowerment Mission’s Europe and Asia teams have been on the ground, delivering life-saving aid to monasteries, nunneries, remote villages, and displacement camps.

This past week, our teams reached several hard-hit and previously inaccessible areas in the Tadau District, including Shan Zay, Mont Ti Suu, Kine Barr, and Kwan The Dann, as well as communities in and around the town of Myitnge. The need was immense—and the gratitude we witnessed was deeply moving. Residents were overwhelmed with emotion and blessings, grateful that help had finally reached them.

One of the most critical challenges remains the collapse of the Tadau bridge—a vital link that allowed local workers, many of whom are carpenters and masons, to reach Mandalay for employment. Without it, families are now cut off from their only source of income.

Another growing crisis is the lack of clean drinking water. Many wells collapsed during the earthquake, leaving communities without safe water. While we continue to distribute clean water, food, and hygiene products, the demand far exceeds supply.

Next, our teams are preparing to reach the historic city of Innwa (Ava), just outside Mandalay, to deliver additional food, including large bags of rice and beans, to hundreds of families in need. But the work is far from over.

The people of Myanmar urgently need sustainable water purification systems and continued relief. With your support, we can bring lasting solutions and help rebuild lives. Please consider donating today, visit the link in our bio section above to learn more.

#GEMmissions #MyanmarEarthquake #DisasterRelief #HumanitarianAid #GlobalEmpowermentMission #asia #europe #AsiaRelief #WaterIsLife #StandWithMyanmar #Mandalay #Tadau #EmergencyRelief #hopeinaction #empowerment #humanitariancrisis ...

WNC Program Update:
 
To date, GEM Bstrong, in partnership with The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, have awarded 80 grants totaling over $500,000 to small businesses and artisans impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. 
 
Today, we’re excited to announce that—thanks to the continued generosity of the The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation—we are expanding the grant fund and opening another new round of applications for small businesses and artisans whose livelihoods were disrupted by the catastrophic flooding in the region. Thanks to DNTF, our second round will increase the program by 150% for 2025. 
 
In addition to the small business and artisan grants, we are also launching our Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in Western North Carolina modeled after our long term responses for the Surfside collapse and the Maui and SoCal fires. Our RAP program will provide eligible individuals and families with three months of rental assistance, including first month, last month, and security deposit for a lease they choose based on our qualifications and guidelines. 
 
We are proud to stand with the resilient communities of WNC as they continue to rebuild. @panthers @charlottefc @bofastadium @bethennyfrankel #thedavidandnicoletepperfoundation ...

GEM Europe is currently supporting Myanmar refugees that are on the border of Thailand in Mae Sot. The GEM team is proving these refugee’s with essential items and our GEM necessities kits. #Myanmar #Refugees #GEMeur, #GEMasia. To learn more visit the link in our bio section above. @globalempowermentmissioneur @globalempowermentmissionasia ...

Today we visited the factory where windows for the GEM HGBF Windows Program are manufactured. Recently, the facility was relocated in response to an increase in missile attacks on civilian infrastructure.

To date, the program has replaced 228,199 windows—providing critical support to over 701,951 people and helping prevent them from becoming internally displaced. Additionally, the GEM HGBF Windows Program has created more than 300 jobs.

#ukraine #gemmissions #hgbf #gemhgbf ...

Urgent Earthquake Crisis in Southeast Asia - Myanmar and Thailand Hit Hard

GEM has deployed two ground teams—one to Myanmar and one to Thailand—to begin a Phase 1 response to a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck near the city of Mandalay, shaking the region to its core. The powerful tremors rippled dangerously across borders, jolting parts of Thailand and southern China. Just hours later, a massive 6.4-magnitude aftershock hit, compounding the devastation.

In Myanmar, several lives have been lost. The military government has confirmed that many more civilians have died or sustained serious injuries, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly as search and rescue efforts continue.

In neighboring Thailand, the quake’s impact was felt with deadly force. It triggered the collapse of multiple structures in Bangkok—more than 500 miles from the epicenter. Authorities are urgently working to rescue dozens individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a partially constructed high-rise.

As aftershocks continue and chaos deepens, both Myanmar and Thailand face a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. Rescue teams are racing against time—and the elements—in a desperate bid to save lives. #myanmar #bangkok #thailand #earthquake #disaster #humanitarian #relief To learn more visit the link in our bio section above. (📷Photo: AP/Sakchai Lalit and SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP) Myanmar mission co-operated by @aerialrecoverygroup’s Heal the Hero’s military professionals .Thailand by @globalempowermentmissionasia @globalempowermentmissioneur @mindfulskatergirl ...

Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, @globalempowermentmissionmena in partnership with @hcicanada are delivering critical food boxes to families in urgent need. In a time of deep food insecurity, each box offers not just nourishment—but hope and solidarity. We’re incredibly grateful to the dedicated teams @globalempowermentmissionmena and @hcicanada whose tireless efforts are making this vital support possible for all those facing unimaginable hardship. #humanitarian #crisis #GEMmissions #HCI to learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. ...

GEM USA West, in partnership with Team Rubicon, is proud to announce the delivery of our first pallets of aid to the SoCal Multi-Agency Recovery Warehouse operated by GEM. Located in San Pedro, California, this massive 350,000 sq. ft. facility with 80 loading docks that will serve as a collaborative hub for numerous NGOs coming together to support the countless individuals impacted by the devastating Southern California wildfires. @teamrubicon #bstrong ...

GEM truck filled with aid at Bakersfield School in Missouri, where teams are offloading #GEM #Bstrong necessities kits for families in surrounding counties.

Many have lost their homes, their belongings—everything. These kits include food, water, hygiene kits, and other basic essentials. Ground teams will also be distributing #Bstrong Cash Cards that are so needed in the aftermath of such unimaginable loss. Thanks to @flewthecoop for all the Pet Essentials for all our furry friends.

More than 100 tornadoes, including three powerful EF4 storms, tore through 11 states, taking the lives of over two dozen people and leaving countless others to pick up the pieces. Our hearts are with the communities devastated by this catastrophic tornado outbreak.

We stand with you. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. #missourisema

#GEM #Bstrong @bethennyfrankel #flewthecoop #tornado #disaster #aftermath #Missouri ...

Our GEM LATAM teams distributed food, water and family necessities kits to those in urgent need in Argentina. Record-breaking floods have devastated parts of Bahía Blanca, Argentina, where more than 400mm (15.7 in) of rain fell in just 8 hours—over twice the city’s previous record from 1930 and nearly a year’s worth of rainfall. Roads are destroyed, bridges washed away—only one crossing remains. With a population of 350,000, the city now faces an estimated $375 million in damage. 1,500+ people are displaced across 13 shelters, over 100 remain missing, and tragically, 16 lives have been lost. To learn more and how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above.

#BahíaBlanca #BuenosAires #Argentina #Flood #DisasterRelief #GEMLatAm #humanitarian #relief ...

Devastation swept across Missouri last night, with 17 tornadoes—ranging from EF0 to EF3—touching down in the state alone. The death toll from this massive storm system has risen to at least 31 across six states as of Saturday night.

GEM has boots on the ground in Ozark County, Missouri, already assessing damage and identifying urgent needs. A GEM semi-truck loaded with aid is en route, and our teams are distributing Bstrong cash cards and GEM Bstrong essential necessities kits to impacted individuals and families.

The storms have knocked out power to hundreds of thousands, and the threat isn’t over. Nearly 10 million people remain under tornado watches, with an additional 83 million facing extreme wind advisories.

We’re here. We’re responding. To stay updated and to learn how you can help, please visit the link in our bio section above. #GEM #Bstrong #tornado #tornadoes #gemmissions ...