Cardi B, Bronx-raised, is joining Eric Adams as New York City Mayor to cover the funeral expenses for the victims of last week’s Bronx fire tragedy which claimed 17 lives.
“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still,”The rapper stated this in a release. “When I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help.”
A Bronx tower of 19 stories caught fire Jan. 9th, possibly due to an electric heater problem. 17 people were killed in the fire, all of them from West Africa. According to the report, Ousmane Konteh (2 years old) was among the victims. He was staying at his babysitter’s home. New York Times.
In a statement announcing her support, Cardi expressed her condolences for the victims’ families as she joined the city mayor’s efforts to support the victims of the tragedy. “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal,”She wrote.
Cardi B’s contributions are being paired with that of the Bronx Fire Relief FundThe organization has raised over $2.5 million. “The resilience of this city reflects everyday New Yorkers who never turn their back on one another,”In a release, Mayor Adams said. “We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims.”
The families of the tragedy’s victims have also set up digital fundraisers of their own. Nhuma Darame (a Drammeh member) set up a fundraising campaign. fundraiserFatima Drammeh lost four family members to the fire, while she was at work. We helped. After the Bronx building caught on fire, Faoumata, Muhammed, her mother, and Fatoumala, were killed. Yagub, her 16 year-old brother, is currently being treated. “currently being cared for in the hospital.”
“As a community, it is our duty to come together during times like this and help one another in any way that we can,”Darame wrote. “Our goal is to raise enough to at least build a well for each of the family members we lost, In sha’Allah.”Darame has raised more than $175,000.
A fundraiser was also set up to support the children of Haji Jawara & Setou Jabbie who both died in the fire. They left behind four children. “All money that will be raised will be used to help with funeral expenses and care for the orphan children,”The GoFundMe description read. The fund raised almost $140,000.