Only 9% of promised donations arrived at Notre Dame: 80 million raised so far

Less than one-tenth of the pledged donations: that’s how much has so far come in from donors for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris after the ruinous fire last April 15. To be exact, of the 850 million euros pledged in various capacities by donors, only 80 million have arrived so far: just 9 percent of the total pledges, most of which have come through small donations from ordinary citizens.

Particularly lamented is the tardiness of large donors, all of whom are still missing from the roll call: from the Arnault, Pinault and Bettencourt families, the promised funds have still not arrived. France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, said that indeed donations are coming in slowly, but he also reassured by saying that it is quite normal for resources to arrive as they progress, partly because of the fact that the big donors want to know precisely when and how the money they promised will be spent. At the moment, however, the French government is in dialogue with the big donors and is still working to keep the flow of donations going.

The cathedral is also not out of danger yet. “The vaults can always collapse,” Riester said speaking yesterday in a broadcast on France 2, since “they are the most fragile point,” and work to secure this nerve center part of the building has yet to be completed (there is still debris to be removed). In contrast, the rest of Notre-Dame has already been secured.

Pictured is Notre-Dame during the fire. Ph. Credit

Only 9% of promised donations arrived at Notre Dame: 80 million raised so far

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.