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January • 2024
The Weeknd's XO Humanitarian Fund Extends Lifeline to Gaza with a Generous Donation Known for his air of mystery, Canadian superstar The Weeknd seems to prefer actions over words, supporting important causes through sizable donations. The musician—who now goes by his birth name, Abel Tesfaye—was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the World Food Programme (WFP) in October 2021. That year, he partnered with WFP to launch the XO Humanitarian Fund, supporting the organization’s response to the unprecedented hunger crisis, which threatened to unleash starvation, destabilization, and mass migration worldwide. “The goal with this fund is to provide immediate life-saving support to people who are on the brink of starvation,” the star shared in a statement. “I’m so thankful to have WFP as a partner and to further expand our reach to those who need it most.” Now, in response to the dire hunger situation in Gaza, Tesfaye has pledged a remarkable donation of four million emergency meals through the XO Humanitarian Fund. This initiative and substantial donation of $2.5 million is evidence of the artist's dedication and furthers his commitment to WFP's humanitarian efforts in the face of the escalating crisis, offering a lifeline that will sustain more than 173 Palestinians for two weeks. "This conflict has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe
THE WEEKND IN LOS ANGELES 2019 © REUTERS/SARA DE BOER/STARTRAKSPHOTO.COM
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," WFP's Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe Region, Corinne Fleischer, said in a statement. "Our teams need safe and
sustained humanitarian access, and continued support from donors to reach as many people as we can," Fleischer continued. "We thank Abel for this valuable contribution towards the people of Palestine. We hope others will follow Abel's example and support our efforts." Tesfaye has actively supported
the WFP's global hunger relief mission since the start of their partnership, with $1.8 million in personal donations as well as through the XO Humanitarian Fund. Since launching the Fund in March 2022, $5 million has been raised and pledged to provide food and support to millions of people experiencing hunger across the globe. During the summer of 2022, the star presented a cheque to WFP USA during a private event at his After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour concert in Los Angeles. “The U.N. World Food Programme is doing urgent and important work to change and save lives on a daily basis and I feel passionately about addressing world hunger and helping people in need. Our partnership is an authentic extension of all our efforts and intentions to help those in need and bring an end to so much suffering,” said Tesfaye. The Weeknd contributed $1 to the Fund from each ticket sold for his North American Stadium Tour, as well as proceeds of an exclusive XO Humanitarian Fund/U.N. World Food Programme tour t-shirt. The Weeknd’s corporate partners, tour venues, and supporters also stepped up to donate. WFP USA’s Board of Directors, together with U.S. donors, contributed another $1 million. “We are deeply appreciative and humbled by The Weeknd’s steadfast support, as well
as that of his loyal fans and partners,” Barron Segar, WFP USA president and CEO, said of Tesfaye’s continued philanthropic efforts. “Abel is an inspiration to us all, and through his efforts, thousands of families will have food security and hope for a better future.” Back in 2021, when Tesfaye first kicked off his impactful partnership with WFP, he announced a $1 million donation for hunger relief in his parents’ native Ethiopia through the World Food Program USA, the U.S. affiliate of WFP. The significant donation, which equated to two million meals, provided life-saving food to those affected by conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray Region and supported WFP’s efforts to ramp up emergency food assistance response. “On and off-stage, The Weeknd is bringing hope and happiness to millions of people across the globe,” said David Beasley, WFP executive director. “His inspirational XO Humanitarian Fund is a new dawn in the struggle to end global hunger at a time when we are seeing funding shrink and the threat of famine grow. As WFP’s Global Goodwill Ambassador, he is opening hearts and minds to our life-saving cause and offering millions the chance of a brighter tomorrow.” (Source: Cover Media via Reuters Connect)
Iraqi Artist Kadim Al Sahir Unveils "Hold Your Fire" in Alliance with the UN Chamber Music Society In collaboration with the UN Chamber Music Society, Iraqi artist Kadim Al Sahir released “Hold Your Fire,” a heart-rending track aimed to create greater awareness of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The song was directed by Brenda Vongova from the UN Chamber of Music Society and sheds light on the pain and loss of innocent lives, homes, and families while highlighting Al Sahir’s commitment to promoting love, solidarity, and unity. For more than four decades, Al Sahir has captivated millions, not only within the Arab world but also globally, achieving record sales in the hundreds of millions. His exceptional ability to fuse traditional Arabic melodies with diverse international music forms has marked him as a pioneer in the musical world. His collaborations with international stars such as Quincy Jones, Sarah Brightman, Lenny Kravitz, and his frequent partnerships with the revered Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, have underlined the
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poetic and profound depth that has cemented his status as an enduring cultural icon. His songs, rich in emotional depth, explore themes of love and human experience, which resonate with audiences worldwide. His ability to capture the essence of romantic poetry in music has established him as a cultural icon and earned him the title The Caesar of Arabic Music. Beyond musical achievements, Kadim is a cultural
KADIM AL SAHIR © IMAGES COURTESY OF KADIM AL SAHIR
ambassador, constantly aiming to bridge Eastern and Western traditions while creating a greater appreciation for Arabic music. His journey has marked him as an icon, a presence, and a cultural figure in the world of music. "Hold Your Fire," with lyrics that poignantly capture the universal human experiences of pain, loss, and the longing for peace, transcends geographic and cultural boundaries. "This song is a heartfelt cry for
peace and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit," shared Al Sahir. "It's an earnest message of hope and solidarity to everyone suffering around our world." Vongova, speaking on the collaboration, added, "Working with Kadim has been an extraordinary journey of cultural and musical fusion. This collaboration symbolizes the unifying power of music, bridging diverse cultures and experiences."
Founded in 2016 at the UN Headquarters, the UN Chamber of Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council carries out the United Nations’ mission of peace, understanding, and cooperation through the universal language of music. A portion of the proceeds from "Hold Your Fire" will support the United Nations' humanitarian initiatives, including United Nations Relief and Works for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP). The United Nations is active on the ground to deliver life-saving assistance, including food, medicine, water, fuel, shelter, and other humanitarian aid. With proceeds supporting much-needed humanitarian support, the impact of this collaboration has extended beyond the realms of music into tangible global aid and support.
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Local Solutions, Global Impact: Operation Eyesight In the rural community of Obrachire, in southern Ghana, community health nurses like Felicia wear many hats. With few health services in the area, her neighbors come to her for advice on a range of health issues. For Felicia, it’s more than a job; it’s a labor of love.
“I love to see people in good health. I am passionate about helping the sick to recover,” says the 37-year-old. Felicia watched her daughter struggle at school due to vision loss and wanted to help make eye health care available to others in Obrachire. After receiving training in primary eye care from
FELICIA, FROM GHANA, IS PART OF A GLOBAL TEAM OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS TRAINED BY OPERATION EYESIGHT TO BRING EYE HEALTH CARE TO OTHERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY © COURTESY OF OPERATION EYESIGHT
Operation Eyesight, she now provides eye health screening, education, and referrals for others in her community. Felicia says it’s helped take her nursing work to the next level. “I can now give my community members an in-depth education on eye health when I go for home visits,” she explains. “I find satisfaction in detecting eye problems in people and assisting them to get the treatment they need.” Felicia joined a global team of more than 2,000 community health workers—80 percent of whom are women—who partner with Operation Eyesight in its mission to prevent blindness and restore sight. Traveling door to door, they bring eye health screening, specialist referral, and health education to others in their communities. “By training people to provide eye care in their own community, we’re able to make eye health care available where it’s needed most, on a sustainable basis,” says Kashinath Bhoosnurmath, Operation Eyesight’s President and CEO. “It’s a model of care that
empowers entire communities to look after their own eye health.” With programs in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, Operation Eyesight is focused on establishing vision centers and fostering partnerships with local hospitals. By partnering with local communities and donors, the organization has brought the Gift of Sight to millions of people over its 60-year history. Community health workers like Felicia are many people’s first point of contact with their health system, and they form a critical link in a chain that connects people with local vision centers and Operation Eyesight’s partner hospitals. “Our approach has been successfully replicated across communities and countries, again and again,” Bhoosnurmath adds. “The best part is that it’s women who are leading this work in their own communities.” More than 6,000 miles away, in Assam, India, community health workers are having similar success. On Majuli, a river island in the Brahmaputra
River, residents have to travel for hours to visit a hospital, and local health services are limited. “Although more than 167,000 people live on the island, there was no doctor, no eye camp, nothing. Many people spend their whole lives without ever receiving vision care,” explains Tapobrat Bhuyan, Operation Eyesight’s project manager in the area. “But today, things are changing.” After community health workers conducted door-to-door eye health surveys, Operation Eyesight hosted several screening camps on the island, where patients received prescription eyeglasses and patients needing eye surgery could be transported to the organization’s partner hospital. “Seeing the look on someone’s face who has just regained their sight is something I will never forget,” Bhuyan says. Give the life-changing Gift of Sight and help transform the lives of individuals and entire communities. Visit operationeyesight.com/USA to make a donation or learn more.
