$50 million in grants have been distributed by the FireAid benefit concert, which generated $100 million for communities impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. These monies will go to local organizations that help families and small businesses affected by the fires by offering them financial support, food assistance, disaster case management, and temporary housing.
Immediate relief efforts for wildfire victims
The FireAid concert, held on 30 January, brought together 30 major artists, including Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Dr. Dre, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The event, which spanned two venues in Los Angeles, was watched by over 50 million people across 28 broadcast channels and streaming platforms, generating millions in donations through text-to-donate campaigns, ticket sales, and corporate sponsorships.
According to FireAid, the first wave of grant funding will prioritise immediate needs, ensuring affected individuals and families receive housing assistance, food aid, and trauma-informed care. Each of the selected community organisations will receive at least $100,000, while smaller grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 remain available for local initiatives.
Among the grant recipients is Project:Camp, a non-profit providing trauma-informed support for children affected by disasters. “As a result of everyone who donated to this fund, Project:Camp was able to provide more than 10,000 hours of free, trauma-informed care to nearly 1,000 children affected by the wildfires,” said Henry Meier, director of external affairs at Project:Camp.
Long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts
The Eaton and Palisades Fires, which ignited on 7 January, caused 29 fatalities and destroyed nearly 17,000 structures, including homes, schools, businesses, and places of worship, according to Los Angeles County. The rebuilding process is expected to take years, with more than 135,000 residents already registered for assistance with FEMA.
FireAid’s advisory team, led by Irving and Shelli Azoff, consulted experts involved in past disasters, including the 2023 Maui fires, to develop an effective funding strategy. While the initial round of funding targets immediate needs, future allocations will focus on long-term rebuilding efforts, supporting infrastructure repairs and community recovery programmes.
“Our intention is to strike a balance, geographically and organisationally, assisting both large funds and organisations with longstanding experience navigating moments of crisis, and community groups with deep knowledge of impacted neighbourhoods,” a FireAid spokesperson stated.
Despite the announcement, some community groups reported they were unaware of their grant status until contacted by the media. The FireAid concert remains available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Hulu, with donations still being accepted to support ongoing recovery efforts.
