The Weeknd Made WFP Goodwill Ambassador

The Weeknd was made a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme
(WFP), which provides food assistance to about 90 million people in more than 80 nations
affected by conflicts and natural disasters. The record-breaking singer and songwriter joins the
likes of Gianluigi Buffon, who is considered one of the best goalkeepers in football history, and
Kate Hudson, famously known for her role in the film Almost Famous, who use their fame and
platform to help fight hunger.
On October 7, 2021, the announcement was made at a United Nations WFP event held in West
Hollywood, California. In a statement at the event, the 31-year-old superstar said: “The U.N.
World Food Programme is doing urgent and important work to change and save lives on a daily
basis and I feel passionate 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."
David Beasley, WFP executive director, was excited to officially welcome The Weeknd to the
WFP family during the event. He said, “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. 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 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 global catastrophe.”
Donations to Lebanon and Ethiopia
The “Blinding Lights” hitmaker has been an ardent and generous supporter of humanitarian
causes for a very long time. He donated at least $3 million to several humanitarian organizations
in 2020 alone. The Weeknd donated $300,000 to help victims of the Beirut explosion in
Lebanon, which claimed more than 200 deaths, injured up to 7,000 people, made about 300,000
people homeless. The generous donation was divided among WFP, the Lebanese Red Cross, and
the Lebanese Children’s Centre to deceased families, the injured, and homeless people.
The three-time Grammy Award winner also donated $1 million to the WFP family in Ethiopia
following months of the Tigray War in the country’s northern region. The Weeknd, whose real
name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, was born to Ethiopian immigrants in Canada. The sensational
vocalist also donated millions of dollars to fund various causes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Donations
The “I Feel It Coming” singer supported various humanitarian organizations, including the Black
Lives Matter Global Network and the Colin Kaepernick Know Your Rights Camp Legal
Initiative, with $200,000 each. He also donated $100,000 to National Bail Out.
Recognition and Awards
The “Starboy” singer has received many recognitions and awards for his humanitarian activities
around the world. The Weeknd received the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the first
Music in Action Awards ceremony in September 2021.