Weeknd donates $ 1 million to fight hunger in Ethiopia, amid reports of violent conflict in the region
Weeknd donated $ 1 million to the United Nations World Food Program to help fight hunger in Ethiopia.
The Grammy Award winner said he had a troubled heart about what was happening to the African nation, amid reports of ethnic cleansing and the displacement of more than 2 million people in the country’s Tigray region, according to the New York Times.
“My heart is broken for my people in Ethiopia, because innocent civilians, from young children to the elderly, are senselessly killed and entire villages are displaced by fear and destruction,” he wrote.
“I will donate $ 1 million to provide 2 million meals through the United Nations World Food Program and I will encourage those who can to offer as well, please,” continued The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen. Tesfaye.
Generos: Weeknd donated $ 1 million to the United Nations World Food Program to help fight hunger in Ethiopia. He was seen at the Super Bowl in February
His post also included striking images of children from the region.
The parents of the singer Blinding Lights are both from Ethiopia and he grew up speaking Amharic, the official language of the country.
Tesfaye is not a first-time philanthropist.
Last summer, it donated $ 300,000 to Global Aid following the devastating blasts in Beirut, Lebanon, which left about 220 dead and 6,000 injured.
The singer’s manager, Wassim Slaiby, shared the news at the time, saying: “I want to thank my brother @theweeknd for his generous and classy act, donating $ 300,000 to the Global Aid for Lebanon campaign.”
Broken heart: “My heart is broken for my people in Ethiopia, because innocent civilians, from small children to the elderly, are killed senselessly and entire villages are displaced out of fear and destruction,” he wrote.
Help: His post also included striking images of children in the region
Slaiby, who is Lebanese-Canadian, was born in Lebanon and also thanked Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, for donating $ 50,000 to the aid fund.
“I am so honored and humiliated to work with artists who care so deeply about the world,” he added. “And right now for our brothers and sisters in Lebanon, who are suffering and need our collective help.”
And before that, he urged fans to contribute to the causes of Black Lives Matter, sharing $ 500,000 with organizations related to the movement in June last year.
Big heart: singer Wassim Slaiby’s manager made the announcement in an Instagram on Wednesday, writing “I want to thank my brother @theweeknd for his generous and classy act, donating $ 300,000 for the Global Aid for Lebanon campaign.”