The Weeknd's XO Humanitarian Fund Extends Lifeline to Gaza with a Generous Donation

The Weeknd in Los Angeles 2019 © Reuters/Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com

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 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)