The Weeknd hurricane relief

Photo Credit: The Weeknd (Instagram)

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is donating $350,000 to support emergency relief efforts in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The World Food Program (WFP) posted an emergency response in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, and WFP Ambassador Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is stepping up to the cause. The superstar is donating $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund to support WFP as it scales up operations to reach up to 200,000 Jamaicans in need of aid as they recover from the disaster.

At the end of October, Hurricane Melissa affected nearly six million people across the Caribbean islands, with Jamaica taking the biggest beating from the storm. WFP has been working alongside the Jamaican government to assist those most impacted in meeting their urgent food needs.

More than 9,000 people in Jamaica have been reached thus far with food kits containing rice, lentils, canned fish and meat, and vegetable oil. WFP has reached 25,400 people across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti with emergency food distributions, according to the organization’s announcement.

“We are grateful to The Weeknd for his generous support for WFP’s urgent relief efforts. His compassion will provide much-needed comfort and resilience to Jamaicans as they navigate this crisis,” said Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO. “When it comes to humanitarian disasters, WFP is among the world’s first responders. But our work is only possible through the generosity of our private sector donors and global partners.”

The World Food Program USA supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses, and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger.

The Weeknd launched the XO Humanitarian Fund in 2022 in partnership with the World Food Program USA to support the WFP’s efforts to combat the global hunger crisis. The fund is fueled by proceeds from his “After Hours Til Dawn” stadium tour and has contributed and pledged over $6.5 million to provide food and support to millions across the globe experiencing severe hunger.

That includes $4.5 million toward WFP’s emergency response in Gaza, and $2 million to support WFP’s emergency food assistance for women and children in Ethiopia. The fund also donated $1 million to support Los Angeles County firefighters and impacted residents in the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires.

Those looking to join The Weeknd in supporting WFP’s hurricane response can donate through their website.