The Weeknd donates $1 million for Ethiopian hunger relief

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd is donating $1 million dollars to combat food scarcity in Ethiopia.

“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,” The Weeknd wrote on Instagram Sunday. “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.”

The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is the child of two Ethiopian parents who immigrated to Canada.

Ethiopia is currently mired in a civil conflict with the government displacing and killing thousands of people in the Tigray region.

While it’s the largest donation he’s made publicly, it is not the first. In the last year, the singer has donated money for COVID-19 relief as well as to several racial justice organizations.