Oprah and The Rock have pledged direct payments to victims of the Maui wildfires

 Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson and Oprah Winfrey have launched the People's Fund of Maui, aiming to make monthly payments of $1,200 (£950) to thousands of victims of the Maui wildfires. The celebrities donated $10m to kick off the fundraiser and are asking for further donations from the public. The death toll officially stands at 115, but many remain missing three weeks on. The money will go to adults whose homes were destroyed by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula on Maui. The fund is available to homeowners and renters, but not to owners who do not live in the ruined buildings. The fundraiser aims to provide cash directly to families and individuals affected, allowing them to personally determine how best to use the funds for themselves. The People's Fund of Maui is collaborating with an esteemed advisory board and community leaders to ensure the funds are put directly in the hands of those most affected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has offered an initial payment of $700 for immediate needs, but many have said the money does little to help with long-term recovery. Winfrey is a part-time resident of Maui and The Rock is partly of Samoan descent.