In a remarkable display of generosity, United Nations World Food Programme’s Goodwill Ambassador, Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, is making a significant impact on emergency humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The multi-platinum selling artist is directing an impressive $2.5 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund towards the WFP’s humanitarian response efforts in the region. This substantial donation translates into four million emergency meals and will fund 820 metric tons of food parcels, capable of sustaining over 173,000 Palestinians for two weeks, as detailed in the press release.
Since the onset of the crisis on October 7th, stemming from the Israel-Palestine conflict, the WFP has been actively providing food assistance to more than 764,000 Palestinians. This initiative is carried out in coordination with other UN agencies, alongside local and regional implementing partners.
WFP’s Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe Region, Corinne Fleischer, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “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 expressed gratitude to Abel for his invaluable contribution and hoped that others would follow his example in supporting the organization's efforts.
Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador in October 2021, has consistently shown his commitment to WFP’s global hunger-relief mission through personal donations. Looking ahead to 2024, The Weeknd has pledged to contribute the equivalent of $1 per concert ticket sold from the global leg of his "After Hours ‘til Dawn" stadium tour to the XO Humanitarian Fund. This ongoing dedication reflects The Weeknd's unwavering support for addressing hunger and humanitarian needs on a global scale.