The Weeknd Donates $2 Million to Provide Bread for Palestinians in Gaza

Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye, a multi-platinum global recording artist and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has donated an additional $2 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund to support WFP's humanitarian response efforts in Gaza. This funding will provide over 1,500 metric tons of fortified wheat flour, which can make over 18 million loaves of bread to help feed more than 157,000 Palestinians for one month.

This builds on the original $2.5 million that Tesfaye directed to WFP's Gaza response in December 2023, providing 820 metric tons of food parcels to feed more than 173,000 Palestinians for two weeks. "The Weeknd's generous support will provide vital relief for thousands of Palestinian families who battle the grip of hunger every day," said Corinne Fleischer, WFP's director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Region.

Tesfaye is also making an urgent appeal to his fans to donate towards WFP's efforts in Gaza, where more than 1 million Palestinians face catastrophic levels of hunger. WFP is working to re-activate collapsed food systems in Gaza and provide desperately needed food to over a million people each month, including through the distribution of food parcels, wheat flour, and hot meals.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with the UN reporting that the situation is verging on a famine. The Weeknd's donation and advocacy efforts aim to bring vital relief to Palestinian families facing extreme food insecurity in the region.

Since becoming a Goodwill Ambassador in October 2021, Tesfaye has actively supported WFP's global hunger-relief mission through personal donations and the XO Humanitarian Fund established in partnership with World Food Program USA. To date, he has raised $6.5 million, with $4.5 million directed towards Gaza operations and an additional $2 million to support emergency food assistance for women and children in Ethiopia. "Whether he is performing or speaking out about global hunger, The Weeknd's voice is powerful and inspiring, perfectly lining up with WFP's mission," said World Food Program USA President and CEO Barron Segar.

Key Takeaways

• The Weeknd donated $2 million to WFP for food aid in Gaza, adding to $2.5 million earlier.
• The donation will provide over 18 million loaves of bread to feed 157,000 Palestinians for a month.
• The Weeknd is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN World Food Programme and has raised $6.5 million.
• The funds will also support emergency food assistance for women and children in Ethiopia.
• The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, verging on famine.