What was meant to be a beacon of hope has now become a source of anger and confusion. Months after the high-profile FireAid benefit concert, organized to support victims of California’s devastating wildfires, survivors are still waiting for help — and demanding answers about what happened to the promised $100 million in donations.

The concert, which featured major celebrities, musicians, and public figures, drew national attention and was hailed as a powerful act of solidarity with those who lost homes, loved ones, and livelihoods in the blazes. However, according to multiple reports and survivor accounts, little to no financial assistance has reached the affected communities.

“We were told help was coming. We saw the stars on stage. We believed it,” said Maria Alvarez, a Paradise resident who lost everything in the 2023 wildfires. “But we haven’t seen a single dollar.”

Donors and victims alike are now demanding transparency. Where exactly did the money go?

Several watchdog groups have begun investigating the organizations responsible for collecting and distributing the funds. Early findings suggest a web of mismanagement, lack of oversight, and unclear documentation about how the money was allocated. Some nonprofit partners reportedly charged “administrative fees” that consumed significant portions of the donations, leaving victims with empty promises.

In response to growing pressure, FireAid organizers released a brief statement claiming that “fund disbursement is ongoing” and that “the scale of the crisis has created unforeseen logistical delays.” Still, for many wildfire survivors, those words feel like a hollow echo.

“People don’t need vague explanations — they need roofs over their heads and food on their tables,” said one grassroots organizer.

As the investigation continues, the situation highlights a troubling pattern seen in disaster relief efforts: big pledges, big concerts, and big headlines — but not always real help.

For the victims of California’s wildfires, the wait for justice, accountability, and actual aid continues.