By New Food Magazine
October 8, 2021
The Weeknd is more famous for chart-topping hits, but he is also a passionate supporter of the UN’s World Food Programme and has donated to the organisation’s relief efforts in Ethiopia recently.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting global hunger, today announced that Multi-platinum and Diamond certified global recording artist The Weeknd has been named a Goodwill Ambassador.
He joins an international roster of ambassadors who use their voices and platforms to advocate for ending global hunger. Each year, the UN World Food Programme provides food assistance to over 100 million people in more than 80 countries.
“The UN 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 Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye.
The Weeknd has been a passionate advocate and generous supporter of humanitarian causes throughout his career, with over $3 million in donations to various organisations in the past year. Most recently, he donated $1 million to the UN World Food Programme’s relief efforts in Ethiopia following months of deadly violence in northern Ethiopia. As the son of Ethiopian immigrants to Canada, the UN says the conflict deeply impacted him, and ultimately this moved him to deepen his relationship with the UN World Food Programme.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Weeknd to the WFP family. His compassion and commitment to helping the world’s hungriest people is truly inspirational,” said United Nations World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley.
“Every night, 811 million people go to bed hungry, and another 270 million are marching toward starvation. This is just not right and we have got to speak out and act today to save lives. We need everyone to come join our movement to end hunger – it is all hands on deck to avoid a global catastrophe.”
“Whether he is performing or speaking out about global hunger, The Weeknd’s voice is powerful and inspiring, only matched by his dedication to helping people around the globe,” said World Food Program USA President and CEO Barron Segar.
“We are honoured that he has joined our mission. He will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of humanitarians in the fight to ensure no man, woman, or child goes to bed hungry.”