LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Blinding Lights' singer The Weeknd has donated $2.5 million through his XO Humanitarian Fund to provide four million emergency meals for Gazans who are starving to death as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
According to a statement by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Friday, December 1, the donation will pay for 820 metric tons of food parcels, estimated to be sufficient to feed more than 173,000 Palestinians for two weeks.
The World Food Program provides canned food, pasta, bread, and date bars to over a million individuals in Gaza who lack access to sufficient food supply, per Daily Mail.
The crisis began when Israel declared war on Gaza in response to Hamas' brutal attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, including one during a music festival.
WFP thanks The Weeknd for his generous donations amid Israel-Hamas war
Corinne Fleischer, WFP's Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, said in a statement, "This conflict has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe beyond reckoning. WFP is working round the clock to provide aid in Gaza but a major scale-up is needed to address the desperate level of hunger we are seeing."
"Our teams need safe and sustained humanitarian access, and continued support from donors to reach as many people as we can," Fleischer continued.
Thanking the singer, Fleischer added, "We thank Abel for this valuable contribution towards the people of Palestine. We hope others will follow Abel’s example and support our efforts."
The Weeknd became World Food Program Goodwill Ambassador in 2021
In October 2021, The Weeknd was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Program. Since then, he has actively supported the WFP in its mission to combat global hunger, particularly by delivering emergency food aid to Ethiopian women and children.
Furthermore, The Weeknd designated the World Food Program USA as the beneficiary of his XO Humanitarian Fund. The fund, having raised $5 million, has been instrumental in providing food assistance to those in need.
Additionally, The Weeknd personally donated $1.8 million to the WFP, according to Rolling Stone.
In April 2021, The Weeknd donated $1 million to relief efforts in Ethiopia during the country's conflict in the Tigray region.
XO has donated $2.5 million in the past to offer emergency food relief to Ethiopian women and children.
The Grammy winner expressed his heartbreak over the events occurring in the African nation, which included claims of racial purge and the eviction of nearly two million people from the Tigray province.
The Weeknd said at the time, "My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered and entire villages are being displaced out of fear and destruction," as per VOA News.
"I will be donating $1 million to provide 2 million meals through the United Nations World Food Programme and encourage those who can to please give as well," he added.
Furthermore, The Weeknd has committed to contributing $1 from every ticket sold during his 'After Hours ’til Dawn' stadium tour to the XO Humanitarian Fund in 2024. The tour dates are yet to be announced by the artist.
Internet users hail The Weeknd for his generous donation amid Israel-Hamas conflict
Taking to online platform X (formerly Twitter), Internet users hailed the Grammy-winning singer calling him the "GOAT."
One said, "This is why he is THE GOAT."
A second X user praised the singer and wrote, "GOOD. He is leading the example of what celebrities should do. Hopefully we see more follow suit."
"The weeknd is such an amazing artist and even a better person," wrote one.
Another supporter chimed in, "That's incredibly generous of The Weeknd. His $2.5 million donation for humanitarian aid in Gaza will undoubtedly make a significant impact. Kudos to him for supporting such a crucial cause."
"Love him for this not enough celebrities do that," wrote another affectionate Internet user, while another one added, "You’re a true KING and you’ll be remembered as such @theweeknd."
One more said, "Wow that’s so generous of him," while another one said, "What a guy! Abel that’s a good thing to do."