Paying for what is the equivalent of 4,000,000+ emergency meals for affected civilians during the Israeli/Palestinian war, The Weeknd‘s XO Humanitarian Fund is directing $2.5 million to Gaza.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) reports that the donated money will provide 820 metric tons of food, which will feed 173,000+ Palestinians over the course of two weeks.
Born Abel Tesfaye, the superstar musician assumed the role of Goodwill Ambassador for the WFP initiative in October of 2021 and his XO Humanitarian Fund with the World Food Program USA, has raised $5 million in relief to people who are unable to access food. Additionally, The Weeknd has donated $1.8 million of his own money to the WFP.
In a statement from WFP’s director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Region, Corinne Fleischer:
“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. We thank Abel for this valuable contribution towards the people of Palestine. We hope others will follow Abel’s example and support our efforts.”
The organization reports that the multiple-Grammy award winner’s XO fund has previously raised $2.5 million to provide Ethiopian women and children with emergency food relief. Tesfaye has also pledged to give $1.00 from every concert ticket he sells for next year’s After Hours ’til Dawn stadium tour to the XO Humanitarian Fund.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Saul Goode
Photo: The Come Up Show