U2 drummer donates $100K to Navajo and Hopi coronavirus relief fund

PHOENIX — U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. donated $100,000 to the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, the organization announced in a press release on Friday.

The Irish musician joins the latest wave of donations to come from the country of Ireland for indigenous peoples disproportionately impacted by the novel coronavirus.

Mullen joins more than 25,500 Irish who have given over $870,000 to the fund as part of a reciprocated support that dates back to nearly 175 years ago.

During Ireland’s potato famine of 1847, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma raised $170 (around $5,000 today) for starving Irish families.

“We feel real kinship with the Irish, who have a shared legacy of colonization, and we are truly grateful for Mr. Mullen’s donation and all donations that have come from our Irish brethren,” relief fund founder Ethel Branch said in the release.

“Someday we hope to repay you for these beautiful and meaningful acts of solidarity made during our time of great need.”

Mullen’s donation will provide a week’s worth of food and water deliveries to about 1,000 Navajo and Hopi homes.

The relief fund aims to provide two weeks’ worth of food to each family to combat the spread of COVID-19, as the Navajo Nation has the most coronavirus cases per capita in the U.S.

The GoFundMe has now raised over $4.4 million and has helped serve more than 6,400 households in nearly 70 communities on the Navajo Nation and five of the 12 Hopi villages.

Those who wish to donate, volunteer or request support can do so online.

Diné and Hopi residents can also request support toll-free by calling 1-833-956-1554.

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