Metallica Donates IDR 2.23 Billion To Help Victims Affected By Bad Weather In The US

Metallica (Instagram @kirkhammett)

JAKARTA - Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation gave a total of 150 thousand US dollars (equivalent to Rp2.23 billion) to three separate organizations to help a number of areas affected by bad weather in the United States.

The first two organizations to receive 50 thousand US dollars (IDR 746 million) each were Team Rubicon and Direct Relief. The funds will help their recovery efforts related to the devastating thunderstorms that hit Mississippi and Alabama on the eve of March 24, 2023.

According to the National Weather Service, there were reports of 20 tornadoes hitting two states that day, including 4 large-scale Enhanced Fujita (EF) at Rolling Fork, MS. On March 26, another tornado was confirmed to land near LaGrange, Georgia, about 65 miles southeast of Atlanta.

Residents in the'spiral cloud' lane have lost almost everything, and in many areas, overturned cars, destroyed houses, torn power lines, and collapsed water towers are left. Houses, businesses, agricultural land, and the worst, 26 lives have been lost.

Damage to these communities will last very long, but the need for help and response from Team Rubicon and Direct Relief will be delivered as soon as possible.

The Rubicon Team Volunteers, known as the "Greyshirts", served in the field in the affected communities, estimated damage and cleared trees and debris from the highway. They are the only non-profit organizations that perform this type of service, allowing the first responders in and residents to leave to access vital resources.

The environment is not the only thing to pay attention to. Public health and safety are also a serious concern, ranging from acute injuries to unmanaged chronic conditions that can develop into a medical crisis.

Direct Relief sends supplies to the Mississippi and Alabama Primary Care Association, the Mississippi and Alabama Free Clinical Association, and the National VOAD (Active Voluntary Organization in Disasters) to support emergency medical care.

The third organization to receive 50 thousand US dollars (IDR 746 million) from All Within My Hands is the Monterey County Storm Relief Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). The funds will help those affected by the widespread collapse of the recent winter storm and the breakdown of the Pajaro embankment in Monterey County, California.

Hurricane 2023 brought heavy rains, fallen trees, power outages, and floods that forced nearly 2.000 members of the Pajaro community to flee. Some residents will not be able to return home for weeks, relying on district evacuation centers for support.

CFMC created the Monterey Regency Storm Aid Fund to provide assistance and recovery for those affected and for the first responders. The funds raised will be used for food needs, emergency shelters, financial assistance for those evacuated, and recovery efforts.