Lana Vierra and her family are among the thousands of Maui residents whose lives were upended by the devastating wildfires last summer. She lost her home, along with many cherished memories. But thanks to the generosity of Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson, Vierra and her family have been able to stay afloat.
The People’s Fund of Maui, established by Winfrey and Johnson, provided six monthly payments of $1,200 directly to displaced adults. The funds helped Vierra keep up with her mortgage payments, preserving her home despite its destruction.
The fund, which raised nearly $60 million, has been credited with helping many survivors stay afloat. Research has shown that direct cash transfers empower recipients and help them meet their specific needs, from housing to food and other essentials.
Shannon Doocy, a professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, says, “Cash provides dignity and choice, and it’s a more cost-effective use of assistance.”
The People’s Fund of Maui is just one example of the growing use of direct cash transfers in disaster response. Nonprofits and government programs are increasingly recognizing the value of empowering survivors with financial assistance.
Vierra and her family are grateful for the support they’ve received, but they know the road to recovery is still long. They’re using the funds from the People’s Fund of Maui, along with other donations and support, to plan for the future and rebuild their lives.
