Global Empowerment Mission Aids 115,000 in Venezuela, Seeks More Support for 500,000 Displaced
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 17
Global Empowerment Mission Aids 115,000 in Venezuela, Seeks More Support for 500,000 Displaced
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 17
Summary
Michael Capponi returned to South Florida after 2½ weeks in Venezuela, saying the crisis is far from over despite Global Empowerment Mission reaching 115,000 people.
Half a million people are still living in tents or on the streets, Capponi said, driving GEM to keep aid flowing indefinitely through a new permanent warehouse in La Guiria.
Since June 24, GEM has moved relief with 16 cargo planes, 7 shipping containers and 5 military landing craft into what it called Venezuela’s hardest-hit area.
$100,000 from Amazon arrived Friday, but GEM said it needs similar corporate backing as it fills warehouse space equal to five Costco stores with donations from 37 states.
FedEx trucks were being loaded in Doral for a Sunday shipment, underscoring that the operation is shifting from an emergency push to a long-term supply effort.
In Venezuela's disaster zones, are criminal gangs or aid groups gaining more power?
Can Venezuela rebuild from a $37 billion disaster while under heavy economic sanctions?
Will this earthquake finally force a change in Venezuela's long-standing political and economic crisis?
Venezuela Earthquake 2026: Humanitarian Response, Challenges, and Lessons from a Crisis Affecting 7 Million
Overview
On June 24, 2026, devastating earthquakes struck across Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and triggering an immediate humanitarian crisis. In Caracas, emergency responders worked through the night to rescue survivors from collapsed buildings, while organizations like the United Nations and Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) quickly mobilized to provide aid. GEM overcame initial donor skepticism about government corruption by ensuring transparent and effective aid distribution, which built trust and expanded support. As international rescue teams departed, the focus shifted to long-term recovery, addressing public health risks, damaged infrastructure, and the needs of displaced populations, all within a complex political and humanitarian landscape.