The Weeknd’s XO Humanitarian Fund Donates $2.5 Million for Gaza Relief Efforts

In a notable humanitarian gesture, The Weeknd has committed a substantial $2.5 million from his XO Humanitarian Fund to support relief efforts in Gaza, translating into four million emergency meals. The philanthropic move, announced on December 1, is a collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), aiming to deliver 820 metric tons of food parcels, sufficient to sustain over 173,000 Palestinians for a span of two weeks. The WFP’s Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe Region, Corinne Fleischer, emphasized the urgent need for a significant scale-up in humanitarian aid due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Having served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the WFP since 2021, The Weeknd has consistently demonstrated his commitment to humanitarian causes, having previously donated nearly $2 million through his XO fund. This act of generosity coincides with a monumental year for The Weeknd, whose After Hours ’til Dawn tour recently achieved the status of the highest-grossing tour by a Black artist in European history. The success of the tour, encompassing 30 shows overseas, underscored The Weeknd’s widespread appeal, amassing $158.1 million in revenue with over 1.6 million tickets sold. Notably, concerts in Nice, Bordeaux, and Madrid were completely sold out, contributing significantly to The Weeknd’s remarkable tour earnings.

Furthermore, during a performance in Bogotá, Colombia, in October, The Weeknd collaborated with 35 local companies to stimulate the economy, generating around 1,500 jobs in the process. The artist’s multifaceted contributions reflect not only his musical prowess but also his impactful efforts to make a positive difference on a global scale.