Music star The Weeknd has said that he has donated $1 million to help fight hunger and famine in Ethiopia. The donation will go directly to the United Nations World Food Programme which is works on preventing a famine brought about by economic collapse and a burgeoning civil war that is taking place in the country.
He said on twitter:
"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."
https://t.co/EBvWQ1TZlM pic.twitter.com/5y8z6HlY1e
— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) April 4, 2021
The Canadian singer-songwriter's parents are from Ethiopia and he has always held an affinity for the African nation. He himself speaks the Ethiopian language, Amharic.
There have been widespread reports that the Ethiopian military, under the command of the Ethiopian government, has been committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the northern region of Tigray against the Tigray people who are seeking their own independent state. As many as 2 million people in the Tigray region have now been internally displaced.
Due to the fact that farmlands and food supplies have been disrupted, this is leading to widespread hunger and famine in one of the most populous African nations.
Ethiopia has not suffered a major famine in many years but was home to one of the worst famines of the late 20th century in the early 1980s. It led to music stars setting up Live Aid in order to raise funds for the starving.
This isn't the first time that The Weeknd has made a major charitable donation. Last year he donated $300,000 to help those affected by the explosion at the Beirut port in Lebanon.
His manager, also his brother, said at the time:
"I want to thank my brother @theweeknd for his generous and class act donating $300,000 to the Global Aid for Lebanon campaign. I am so honored and humbled to work with artist's who have such deep care for the world,' he added. 'And right now for our brothers & sisters of Lebanon who are in pain and need our collective help."
He has also donated $500,000 to the Black Lives Matter movement.
[h/t: Daily Mail]
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