Live Updates

A historic disaster is unfolding across Alaska’s remote Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta — one of the most destructive events since the great 1964 Alaska Earthquake.

Over 1,500 residents have been displaced from the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok after #TyphoonHalong unleashed devastating winds and floods that tore through homes, destroyed infrastructure, and shattered entire communities.

This Tuesday, #GEM response teams will be on the ground, meeting with tribal leadership and local officials to ensure that sheltering strategies are executed with urgency, cultural respect, and precision.

In partnership with Roger May, GEM is converting fishery housing into longer-term living solutions for displaced individuals and families — a crucial step as temperatures drop and the Arctic winter approaches.

Through our Tribal Impact Program, now in its third year, GEM has worked hand in hand with Native nations across the U.S. — and the Yup’ik people have been central to that mission. Traditional ways of life and cultural infrastructure have been deeply disrupted.

Current assessments reveal staggering destruction:
• In #Kipnuk, nearly 90% of homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
• In #Kwigillingok, more than one-third of residences have been lost.

In response, GEM USA West is deploying a comprehensive relief mission including:
• Emergency supplies and temporary shelter units.
• Coordination with tribal governments, #Alaska state agencies, and federal partners.
• Long-term recovery planning for resilient, culturally sensitive rebuilding.
• Specialized logistics operations to reach the isolated Delta by air and sea.

GEM remains steadfast in our commitment to empower and uplift tribal communities — ensuring that every response honors heritage, restores dignity, and rebuilds lives stronger than before.

To learn more or support this mission, visit the link in our bio or GEM.org.

📸: Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management | AP | Alaska National Guard by Sgt. Joseph Moon ...

The GEM USA Southwest team continues to remain on the ground across Texas, supporting recovery efforts for individuals and families impacted by the devastating floods.

To date, GEM has delivered drywall to 12 homes affected by the July floodwaters — helping residents in San Angelo, Hunt, Comfort, and Kerrville take an important step toward rebuilding and returning home.

Every sheet of drywall brings these families closer to restoration and stability after months of displacement.

Special thanks to Home Depot and Galilee CDC for helping to deliver the drywall to repair these homes. To learn more visit the link in our bio, or GEM.org

#GEM #Bstrong #GEMMissions #TexasFloodRelief #DisasterRecovery #CommunityStrong ...

Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day we take a moment to reflect on this past weekend’s meaningful gathering.

GEM USA West had the honor of joining the Big Sandy Rancheria community in Auberry, California, for a special Tribal Impact event focused on unity, gratitude, and connection. The day brought together more than 1,000 participants — including members from the Big Sandy, Cold Springs, and North Fork Rancherias to share blessings, celebrate heritage, and strengthen community ties. To learn more about this mission visit, GEM.org

#GEMmissions #TribalImpact #GEMUSAWest #CommunityEmpowerment #indigenouspeoplesday ...

This week, GEM partnered with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) @nychagram to support residents displaced by the Bronx chimney collapse. Through our #BStrong Cash Card program, we provided direct financial assistance to families temporarily relocated by the incident.

Thankfully, no one was injured, but the F and G lines of the building were initially uninhabitable, and this assistance provided much needed support towards meals and amenities during the displacement. Our team will continue to stand with the community.

#GEMmissions #BStrong #DisasterRelief #NewYork #Bronx #NYCHA to learn more about GEM visit the links in our bio, or GEM.org ...

GEM is providing essential aid through our partners at @aerialrecoverygroup to communities in the Philippines hardest hit by the earthquakes and landslides.

On September 30th, the Philippines was struck by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake. It was the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Northern Cebu, and was followed by thousands of smaller aftershocks. The death toll continues to rise, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. It is estimated that over 110,000 residents are in need of assistance to restore their livelihoods.

Families are still without food, clean water, and shelter as aftershocks continue to shake the region. GEM and Aerial Recovery are working to get critical supplies into remote areas that have been cut off from help. In collaboration with local governments, Aerial will be distributing life saving critical aid, provided by GEM, to those affected in the region.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this mission - your generosity is making a real difference for these individuals and families in crisis.

To join our mission or support ongoing relief efforts, please visit link in our bio or @aerialrecoverygroup #GEMmissions #AerialRecovery #Philippines #Cebu #Earthquakes #DisasterResponse #HumanitarianCrisis ...

GEM Tool Program Launch in Kerr County, Texas

Last week, our GEM USA Southwest Branch proudly rolled out our long-standing Tool Program in Kerr County, Texas—bringing hope, resilience, and sustainability to families and contractors still working to recover from disaster.

This initiative focuses on restoring the livelihoods of skilled workers who form the backbone of rebuilding efforts. By replacing essential tools lost in the disaster, we empower contractors across every trade—general contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, welders, masons, painters, and HVAC technicians, to return to work quickly, rebuild their businesses, and restore homes and communities.

These are the people who put families back under safe roofs, who restore electricity and plumbing, and who make devastated houses livable again. Every tool replaced is more than equipment, it’s a pathway to self-sufficiency, dignity, and faster community recovery.
• Neighbors helping neighbors.
• Tools turning into opportunities.
• Families moving back home.

Recovery is never possible without partners, donors, and the spirit of community that binds us together. With every hammer, drill, or welding torch replaced, another Texan craftsman gets back to work—not just rebuilding homes, but rebuilding hope and stronger communities for generations to come. Special thanks to @homedepot To learn more please visit the link in our bio. #TexasFlood #GEMUSA #Bstrong #RebuildTogether #Community #GEMmissions special thanks to @homedepot ...

The GEM West Tribal Impact Team was deeply honored to host an elders’ blessing gathering for the Tachi Yokut Tribe. This sacred day carried profound significance as we paid tribute to two of the tribe’s eldest members—both in their 90s, whose wisdom and presence continue to guide their people.

The air was filled with prayers, the steady heartbeat of drums, and songs spoken in their native tongue, a powerful reminder of resilience and cultural strength. At the center of it all, a tiny dancer moved with pure joy, offering her gift of dance to the elders, a living bridge between generations.

With love and gratitude, we blessed the elders with air purifiers, clean water, home goods, shoes, and other essentials—small tokens of care for those who have given so much to their community. This was more than a gathering; it was a celebration of life, culture, and the unbreakable spirit of the Tachi Yokut people. To learn more, please visit: GEM.org ...

Ukraine Food & Wash Sector update.

The dots on this map represent the locations we have supported. To date, our teams have delivered more than 6.4 million family kits and 38.7 million liters of water—the equivalent of 396 million meals reaching those in urgent need.

Each month, we mobilize 400 trucks loaded with Ukraine-grown food directly into front-line regions. This aid reaches over 1,400 towns and villages, ensuring that help arrives right into the hands of the people who need it most.

Reporting from the UN Food Securities & Wash Clusters confirms that GEM, in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF), is the single largest supplier of food to front-line regions in Ukraine.

We remain deeply grateful to the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, whose unwavering support has made this scale of impact possible.

The map reflects the extraordinary reach we’ve been able to achieve together.

#ukraine #gemmissions #hgbf #foodsecurity #kharkiv #donetsk #kherson #zaporizhia #chernihiv #kherson ...

A few glimpses inside the factory producing windows for our GEM–HGBF Windows Program.

In the face of relentless and increasingly frequent attacks on civilian infrastructure, this initiative has become a lifeline. By enabling families to repair and replace shattered windows, we help them remain in their own homes rather than face displacement. This work is especially urgent with the cold season approaching, when the ability to quickly replace broken windows is often out of reach for many households.

To date, we have already installed more than 259,914 windows across Ukraine, allowing 739,797 people to stay in their homes. Each repaired home represents one less family forced into internal displacement or exile, helping to prevent an even greater refugee crisis from unfolding.

#ukraine #windows #gemmission #hgbf ...

Images from our @globalempowermentmissionmena teams in Pakistan. 0ver 300 people already confirmed dead in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Teams will be supporting families in this area this week. #pakistanfloods2025 #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #monsoon ...

At GEM, we have always been committed to operating methodically, ethically, and with a singular focus: bringing hope and dignity to people in their greatest time of need.

Through our smart partnerships with @hcicanada and FK Logistics, we are able to deliver aid in ways that are safe, effective, and deeply impactful. Below are some highlights that set our operations apart:

Key Differentiators
• Fully Authorized: Registered with both Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora and the Palestinian Authority, giving GEM broad and ongoing approval to deliver aid directly into Gaza.
• Proven Track Record: In two years of operations in Gaza, only three trucks have ever been looted—an exceptionally low figure in such a volatile environment.
• Direct-to-Family Distribution: Unlike many organizations that require recipients to travel through dangerous zones to reach aid points, GEM delivers directly to vetted families within their camps.
• Nutritional Aid: Each family receives a 23 kg pre-packed box containing 76 nutritious meals, ensuring consistent and reliable food security.
• Safe Water Access: GEM purchases desalinated water inside Gaza, conducts independent testing to ensure safety, and then brings clean water directly by truck to families in need.

For security reasons, we cannot announce distribution locations in advance. Please know, however, that GEM continues to do everything possible to protect vulnerable communities and to deliver aid where we can and where it is needed most.

@globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissionmena @hcicanada ...

The Power of Renewal

From the ashes of loss, a new chapter is being written in Lahaina. Yesterday, we stood with the community at the historic Jodo Mission — a sacred place that has been a cornerstone of Maui’s spiritual and cultural life for over a century. In the face of hardship, their unity and resilience shine brighter than ever.

Our GEM Hawaii-Pacific branch was humbled to play even a small role in this renewal. In partnership with @lahainajodomission , @edfreedman, @stableroadfoundation, @mauigarrett, @mauibrewingco, and @treecoverylahaina, we helped build two new homes for the family of Gensho Hara the visionary who first brought Buddhism to Maui.

The Jodo Mission is more than a landmark — it is a living testament to faith, heritage, and community. We invite you to watch the video clips, where you’ll hear powerful stories about its sacred history and enduring role in Lahaina’s spirit of hope. #lahaina #maui #renewal #buddhism @globalempowermentmission @globalempowermentmissionhawaii ...

Event Post 2 of 2: This past weekend, GEM Executive Board Members India Hicks and Nina Lesavoy hosted the 3rd Annual Hamptons Summer Celebration, honoring the impactful work of Global Empowerment Mission. Set against the stunning backdrop of Nina Lesavoy’s home in Sag Harbor, guests gathered for an unforgettable evening of sunset cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and live music by reggae icon Winston Irie & the Selective Security Band.
As the program began, India Hicks took the stage to reflect on her recent frontline mission to Ukraine with her two sons, Amory and Conrad, where they personally delivered aid to families in crisis. She then raised a heartfelt toast to GEM Founder and President Michael Capponi, applauding his unwavering leadership and dedication. Michael followed with powerful remarks detailing GEM’s mission and global impact-reaching 71 countries to date.

The evening culminated in an exciting paddle raise led by renowned auctioneer Letitia Frye, generating more than $150,000+ in support-an amount that continues to grow thanks to the generosity of attendees.

Adding to the momentum, @twpclothing donated 15% of total sales from their Southampton and Sag Harbor boutiques on event weekend, and in a remarkable show of support, pledged to match the funds raised, effectively doubling their contribution to GEM’s lifesaving work. Thank u Andrew

Notables in Attendance: India Hicks, Nina Lesavoy, Andrew Rosen & Jenny Dyer, Alison Bruhn, Candace Bushnell, Bruce Weber, Nan Bush, Nicole Miller, Fern Mallis, Alina Kurska, Isaac Boots, Pippa Cohen, Carl Bernstein, Katie Cassidy, Stephen Huszar, Countess Luann, Luisa Beccaria Bonaccorsi, Ron and Marta Bloom, Michael Clinton, Scott Woodward, Reed Boren.

Very Special Thank you to @davidflintwood for donating a fabulous Rum bar featuring @idleassembly @idlespirits, and to @fieldbar.co

@michaelcapponi @indiahicksstyle @nlesavoy_ @bruceweber @katiecassidy @stephenhuszar @carlbernstein @nicolemillerlife @candacebushnell @fernmallis @macglobetrotter @3_felix
@wesley_thecreator @dominofw007@amoryflintwood @conradflintwood @alina.kurs_@martabloom @ron_bloom @scottwoodward @majelheart @kariannefields @jakeharris2 ...