The Weeknd has stepped up to support hurricane-stricken communities in Jamaica, donating $350,000 to relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa at the end of October. The storm impacted six million people across the Caribbean, with Jamaica among the hardest-hit islands.
According to Variety, the donation comes from The Weeknd’s XO Humanitarian Fund and will help provide aid to more than 220,000 Jamaicans through the World Food Programme (WFP).
“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, President and CEO of World Food Program USA. “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.”
As of now, the WFP has reached 254,000 people across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti with emergency food distributions.
The Weeknd — born Abel Tesfaye — launched the XO Humanitarian Fund in 2022 to support the World Food Programme’s mission to combat global hunger. The majority of the fund’s contributions come from proceeds of his critically acclaimed After Hours Til Dawn Tour. Since its inception, the XO Humanitarian Fund has donated over $6.5 million to hunger relief worldwide, including $4.5 million for emergency response in Gaza, $2 million for food assistance in Ethiopia, and $1 million earlier this year for Los Angeles County firefighters and affected residents.
The World Food Programme continues to mobilize support from governments, businesses, and individuals to tackle hunger and provide critical assistance during emergencies — a mission amplified by The Weeknd’s ongoing philanthropic efforts. Donations can be send here.
