M.I.A. Launches Fundraiser To Help St Vincent Volcano Victims

(AllHipHop News) 

M.I.A. has launched a volcano relief campaign online to raise $137,000 for the people of St. Vincent in the Caribbean.

The La Soufriere volcano on the island began a series of explosive eruptions on April 9th, which sent clouds of hot ash into the air, causing water and electricity outages.

The latest and biggest eruption so far took place on Monday.

There are no reports of deaths or injuries, but over 16,000 residents living near the volcano have been evacuated amid warnings the explosions could continue for weeks.

The “Paper Planes” hitmaker has stepped in to help those affected, explaining the area is “very special” to her.

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A post shared by M.I.A. (@miamatangi)

“I WROTE MY FIRST SONG IN BEQUIA AND THESE PLACES HAVE BEEN MY ISLAND AWAY FROM MY ISLAND FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE DEVASTATION IS UNBEARABLE,” she wrote on Twitter.

“WE WANT TO RAISE £100,000 TO IMMEDIATELY BUY ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES, PROVIDE EMERGENCY TRAVEL AND TO GET PEOPLE TO SAFETY NOW. THE MONEY RAISED WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO HELP THE 16,000+ PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES AND POPULATION OF 100,000 WHO ARE NOW AT RISK OF SEVERE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS DUE TO THE EXTREME AMOUNT OF ASH FALLING…

“100% OF ALL DONATIONS WILL GO TO THE CAUSE.”

As of press time, the GoFundMe campaign had reached over $27,000, with The Weeknd’s manager donating $10,000 to the cause.