The Weeknd donates $1million to fight hunger in Ethiopia amid reports of violent conflict in the region
The Weeknd has donated $1million to United Nations World Food Programme to help fight famine in Ethiopia.
The Grammy-winner said he was heartbroken about what’s happening African nation, amid reports of ethnic cleansing and the displacement of over 2million people in the Tigray region of the country, per New York Times.
‘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,’ he wrote.
‘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,’ The Weeknd, birth name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, went on.
Generous: The Weeknd has donated $1million to United Nations World Food Programme to help fight famine in Ethiopia. He’s seen at February’s Super Bowl above
His post also included striking images of children from the region.
The Blinding Lights singer’s parents 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 he donated $300k to Global Aid in the wake of the devastating explosions in Beirut , Lebanon, which left an estimated 220 people dead and 6,000 people 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 class act donating $300,000 to the Global Aid for Lebanon campaign.’
Heartbroken: ‘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,’ he wrote
Human cost: His post also included striking images of children from the region
Slaiby, who is Lebanese-Canadian, was born in Lebanon also thanked Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, for donating $50k to the relief fund.
‘I am so honored and humbled to work with artist’s who have such deep care for the world,’ he added. ‘And right now for our brothers & sisters of Lebanon who are in pain and need our collective help.’
And before that he urged fans to contribute to Black Lives Matter causes, sharing $500k with organizations related to the movement last June.
Big heart: The singer’s manager Wassim Slaiby shared news of his $300k contribution to Lebanon relief efforts last summer
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