Sandy benefit concert raises $23M for Red Cross

Fridays benefit concertfor Superstorm Sandy victims drew $22.9 million US in donations for the American Red Cross, according to U.S. network NBC.

The sombre, hour-long event hosted by Matt Lauer was heavy on stars.

Many songs featured lyrics that identified with New Jersey and New York, with New Jersey's Jon Bon Jovi singing Who Says You Can't Go Home andBilly Joel, of Long Island, working in a reference to Staten Island the hardest hit New York borough into his performance.

Others who took part in the special included Sting, Staten Island's Christina Aguilera, Bronx-bornMary J. Blige and New Jersey's Bruce Springsteen.

The telethon mixed musical performances with storm footage and calls for donations from Jon Stewart, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg and others.

The American Red Cross is running disaster centres and supplying food and water to areas cut off by Sandy, a hurricane that killed more than 100 people across 10 states.

Power outages are still widespread in New York and New Jersey, with many people unable to return to their storm-damaged homes.

The charity came under fire last week by Staten Island borough president James Molinaro, who called the response time by the Red Cross "a disgrace." The Red Cross had difficulty getting to Staten Island because of blocked roads and fuel shortages, but is now operating mobile kitchens in the community.

Last week, the NFL and the players' uniondonated $1 million USto the American Red Crossto help recovery efforts in the Northeastern states.