The Weeknd Donates $1 Million To Ethiopian Hunger Relief

The Weeknd has donated $1 million to help fund hunger relief in Ethiopia as an ongoing crisis between the government and the Tigray Region has left millions starving.

“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 displaces out of fear and destruction,” The Weeknd, a Canadian born to Ethiopian immigrants, wrote in a Sunday Instagram post.

The singer, who’s real name is Abel Tesfaye, added, “I will be donating $1 million to provide 2 million meals through the United Nations World Food Program and encourage those who can to please give as well.”

The “Blinding Lights” singer added a link to donate in his Instagram bio to aid Ethiopia’s hunger relief fund via the U.N World Food Program. “The outbreak of conflict in Tigray last November coincided with the peak harvest period, leading to lost employment and incomes, disrupted markets, a rise in food prices and limited access to cash and fuel… to support 1.4 million of these vulnerable people before it’s too late,” he wrote.

Last June, The Weeknd donated $1 million to aid people affected by the pandemic. He also donated $500,000 to fight in racial equality and $300,000 to victims in an August explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.