Miami-Dade residents who want to help Colombia after the August 10, 2026 earthquake now have a local path: Global Empowerment Mission is using its Doral headquarters to sort donations, prepare cargo and coordinate relief with partners on the ground.
Miami-Dade County posted an August 11 relief notice urging residents to support the response with money, essential supplies or volunteer time, saying many local families have loved ones in the affected areas of western Colombia.
What changed in Miami-Dade
GEM says it has launched an immediate response with Solidaridad de Colombia and Motorrad Angels, with emergency teams already coordinating distributions. The organization says daily distributions are scheduled to begin August 12 across affected regions.
At the Doral warehouse, CBS Miami and WSVN reported that volunteers spent Tuesday sorting donated goods while GEM prepared cargo flights and assessed what Colombian communities need first. Doral Mayor Christi Fraga told CBS Miami that cash is especially useful because supplies can often be purchased for less in Colombia and earmarked for the response.
GEM founder Michael Capponi told reporters the emergency run is focused on practical shelter and survival items, including tents, blankets, bedding and emergency aid kits. The group's own mission page lists Phase 1 priorities as food, water, hygiene supplies, tents, bedding and other life-sustaining aid, followed by early recovery support.
Why this is a Miami story
The county framed the relief effort around Miami-Dade's Colombian community, noting that residents here are worried about family and loved ones abroad. Local stations also reported South Florida Colombians arriving in Doral to volunteer, donate supplies and look for a way to help quickly.
The local consequence is direct: residents deciding whether to bring goods, give cash or volunteer are being asked to match their help to the current logistics. GEM and local officials are steering donors away from random drop-offs and toward money or listed supplies that can move quickly through the relief pipeline.
What to check before giving
Residents should confirm current needs before buying supplies because the list can change as teams learn more from Colombia. GEM's Colombia mission page is the best source for its current response plan, while Miami-Dade's relief notice links residents to ways to support verified efforts.
Anyone donating cash should use official organization pages rather than social posts, screenshots or forwarded payment links. For people who prefer to volunteer, the practical first step is checking GEM's current instructions before going to the Doral warehouse so staff can match help to sorting, packing or logistics needs.
The broader disaster is still developing, but the Miami-Dade relief question is already concrete: give in a way that can be tracked, transported and used where relief teams say it is needed most.
