The Weeknd will donate $1 million towards relief efforts in Ethiopia, making the announcement in an Instagram post which detailed how he plans to aid those entangled in the conflict between the government in Addis Ababa and the Tigray region.
The Weeknd wrote: “My heart breaks for my people of Ethiopia as innocent civilians ranging from small children to the elderly are being senselessly murdered and entire villages are being displaced out of fear and destruction. I will be donating $1 million to provide 2 million meals through the United Nations World Food Programme and encourage those who can to please give as well.”
The cause is personal for The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye: both of his parents are from Ethiopia. The pair immigrated to Toronto, Canada in the ’80s, where the artist was born and raised.
Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com