The Weeknd donates US $ 1 million to Ethiopian reduction efforts

The weeknd will donate US $ 1 million to aid efforts in Ethiopia.

The “Heartless” singer announced the news in an April 4th Instagram post detailing how he plans to help those embroiled in the conflict between the Addis Ababa government and the Tigray region.

“My heart breaks for my Ethiopian people as innocent civilians, from young children to the elderly, are senselessly murdered and entire villages are displaced in fear and destruction,” The Weeknd wrote. “I will donate $ 1 million to provide 2 million meals under the United Nations World Food Program, and encourage those who can to please give.”

A US government internal report alleged that the intent of the conflict, which has killed thousands and left others without homes or basic needs, was to remove the ethnic Tigrayan population from Ethiopia, according to the New York Times. The Ethiopian government strongly denied the allegations of ethnic cleansing.

The cause is personal for The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye: Both parents come from Ethiopia. The couple immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in the 1980s, where the artist was born and raised.