Mulia Metallica's Action To Donate Rp. 7.1 Billion For Australian Forest Fires

Metallica (Twitter @metallica)

JAKARTA - Metallica will donate 750 thousand Australian dollars (around Rp7.1 billion) to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Victoria Country Fire Authority to help victims of forest fires in Australia.

In a statement, James Hetfield et al said: "We are absolutely overwhelmed by news of the wildfires sweeping millions of hectares across Australia, with major repercussions in New South Wales and Victoria.

"The damage it has caused and the devastating impact it has on all of Australia's inhabitants, animals, the environment and the extraordinary land is devastating.

"Please join us and do whatever you can to help as we, together with our foundation All Within My Hands, are giving $ 750,000 Australian to the NSW Rural Fire Service and to the Country Fire Authority in Victoria to help with the forest fire fighting efforts in Australia. "

We are totally overwhelmed by the news of the wildfires sweeping through millions of acres across Australia, with major impact in New South Wales and Victoria. (1/6) pic.twitter.com/XqJAHmN6um

- Metallica (@Metallica) January 8, 2020

The statement continued, NSW RFS is the largest voluntary fire fighting organization in the world. All funds donated during this emergency are directed towards services related to fire victims.

The CFA (Country Fire Authority) is a volunteer and community-based fire and emergency services organization that helps protect Victoria's 3.3 million citizens. Work with the community to keep Victorians safe from fire and other emergencies.

Learn more about NSW Rural Fire Service and how you can help ➡️ https://t.co/6bGCPpo3BU Learn more about Victorian Country Fire Authority and how you can help ➡️ https://t.co/nZLEdOqDjK (6/6)

- Metallica (@Metallica) January 8, 2020

At least 25 people have died since the fires broke out in September. Nearly one billion animals died and hundreds of homes and habitats were destroyed. More than 100 hotspots remained active as firefighters tried to extinguish them.

Although the fires are believed to burn naturally, experts believe human-caused climatic disruption has exacerbated hot and arid conditions. This triggers the growth of fire.

As Australia is just entering summer, with temperatures peaking in January and February, the country's fires can last for months.

This is not the first time Metallica has donated money to help disaster victims or other charities. Last September, the world's metal giants donated more than US $ 1.6 million (Rp.22.7 billion) from their European tour throughout 2019.

On August 25 they donated a check for 63,000 euros (approx. Rp. 980 million) to Freezone Mannheim, a German homeless youth aid group. This comes after Metallica donated € 40,000 (£ 29,000) to Manchester's homeless charity foundation ahead of their performance at the Etihad Stadium in June.

Earlier, in mid-August, the band, which has released 10 studio albums, donated 250 thousand euros (Rp3.87 billion) to a Romanian association that built the first pediatric oncology (tumor cancer) hospital in Dracula's country.

In November 2018, the band also donated 100 thousand US dollars (around Rp1.46 billion) to help fight forest fires in California. A month later, they sent donations worth US $ 1 million (equivalent to Rp.14.5 billion) to 10 campuses in the US as an effort to improve career programs and technical education certificates at community colleges (campuses that offer diplomas).