Chris Samuel
The Weeknd reaffirms his dedication to philanthropy with a substantial donation of $2.5 million to support humanitarian initiatives in Gaza, Palestine. This generous contribution will facilitate the provision of four million meals to the region, profoundly impacted by the recent Israeli bombardment.
The Weeknd Donates $2.5M
The Weeknd has again demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy by donating $2.5 million to aid humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Palestine.
The generous contribution from The Weeknd’s XO Humanitarian Fund will help provide four million meals to the war-torn region, where thousands have been affected by the recent Israeli bombardment. As a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), The Weeknd continues to make significant contributions to global hunger relief.
The Weeknd’s donation of $2.5 million to the WFP’s humanitarian response efforts in Gaza equates to funding 820 metric tons of food parcels, capable of sustaining over 173,000 Palestinians for two weeks.
WFP Director Commends The Weeknd
This timely support comes in the wake of the crisis caused by weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment, a response to the Oct. 7 invasion by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
In October 2023, the United Nations Rights Committee members opposed the United States’ vote against a ceasefire in Gaza. In their opposition, they condemned the words of U.S. Ambassador Michelle Taylor during remarks on not voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Weeknd’s contribution will make a significant impact in alleviating the dire circumstances faced by the people of Gaza. Expressing gratitude for The Weeknd’s generosity, Corinne Fleischer, the WFP Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe Region, commended him and urged others to follow his lead in supporting their efforts:
“We thank Abel for this valuable contribution towards the people of Palestine. We hope others will follow Abel’s example and support our efforts,” Fleischer said.
The WFP is tirelessly delivering aid and food baskets, including essentials such as fresh bread, fortified date bars, canned food, wheat flour, pasta, tomato paste, and oil, through daily truck shipments to Gaza.
The Weeknd’s Past Philanthropic Efforts
The Weeknd’s commitment to humanitarian causes extends beyond his recent donation.
In October 2021, he was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the WFP, and since then, he has played a vital role in supporting their global hunger-relief mission. Prior to aiding Gaza, he sent emergency food assistance to women and children in Ethiopia.
The Canadian sensation also extended his support to Colombia during his After Hours Til Dawn Global Stadium Tour. On Oct. 4, his performance enthralled the audience and made a significant economic impact by generating employment opportunities for 1,500 local workers, contributing to the country’s workforce.
DJ Khaled Faces Backlash For His Silence
While The Weeknd is helping out citizens in Gaza, DJ Khaledhas been criticized on social media for being silent on the Israel-Palestine War. DJ Khaled is of Palestinian descent and has yet to provide a statement on what is going on in Gaza.
