Anger at fundraiser for Notre Dame instead of homeless Parisians

By Deputy Chief EditorApril 16, 2019

208 2 minutes read

Hundreds of millions of euros have already been pledged to restore the Notre Dame Cathedral in the wake of the devastating fire.

But many people are wondering why Frances richest men have suddenly found enormous amounts of spare cash to pay for a church roof when thousands of people are living without shelter on the streets of Paris.

French billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault is donating €200 million (£172 million) to help repair the 800-year-old cathedral, while Salma Hayeks husband Francois-Henri Pinault and his family have promised more than €100 million (£86 million) to help with the complete reconstruction of Notre Dame.

epa07509101 The spire collapses while flames are burning the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 15 April 2019. A fire started in the late afternoon in one of the most visited monuments of the French capital. EPA/IAN LANGSDON — An international fundraising appeal has been launched to help rebuild the Notre Dame (Picture: EPA)

BGUK_1550709 - ** RIGHTS: ONLY UNITED KINGDOM ** Paris, FRANCE - General Views of the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire. A fire erupted at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, destroying the roof and its iconic spire. A fire broke out on Monday afternoon and quickly spread across the building, collapsing the spire. The cause is yet unknown but officials said it was possibly linked to ongoing renovation work. Pictured: Notre-Dame Cathedral fire BACKGRID UK 15 APRIL 2019 BYLINE MUST READ: BEST IMAGE / BACKGRID UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com *UK Clients - Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* — It is hoped that the majority of the 800-year-old structure can be saved (Picture: Backgrid)

The astonishing donations have been both praised by the likes of Piers Morgan and slammed by people believing the money could be spent transforming thousands of peoples lives.

Shah Assunal Mumin was among hundreds of people reacting to the news on metro.co.uks Facebook page.

He said: Its amazing how these billionaires are helping to aid the rebuild of this institutional building, however, where is the help to the world for humans?

Over 300 million is being donated!!! That could save thousands of lives around the world.

Tanya Mimpress said it does stick in the craw seeing all the money being spent on a cathedral instead of people.

She said: Seeing all that history and beauty burn was painful, yes.

epa07508879 Flames on the roof of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 15 April 2019. A fire started in the late afternoon in one of the most visited monuments of the French capital. EPA/IAN LANGSDON — A huge fundraising effort is underway to restore the cathedral to its former glory (Picture: EPA)

Firefighters (L and R) work to extinguish a fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris early on April 16, 2019. - A huge fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral is "under control", the Paris fire brigade said early on April 16 after firefighters spent hours battling the flames. (Photo by Zakaria ABDELKAFI / AFP)ZAKARIA ABDELKAFI/AFP/Getty Images — Pictures this morning show the main structure is still standing following the devastating fire (Picture: AFP)

And I get that its the “soul of a nation”, and yes, people should be able to donate as they see fit, of course.

But it does stick in the craw somewhat when so many in France, and elsewhere, are living hand to mouth.

Ahmet Okan said it was great news, but reasoned: What could have been greater if those billionaires secretly sent this money to war-torn Africa where people are still starving, in need of medicines and clean water.

While many felt uncomfortable with the enormous contributions, Ro Mee said he didnt see British billionaires helping those affected by the Grenfell fire.

He added: What I am saying is that some people are helping. And in times of need, look at the helpers.