R&B star The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, has made a significant contribution to the World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency response efforts following Hurricane Melissa. A press release confirms that on November 13, he announced a substantial donation of $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund to aid those affected.
Since Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck the Caribbean at the end of October, nearly six million people across the islands have been affected. Jamaica bore the “brunt” of the damage, according to People.
The Weeknd’s donation will help the World Food Programme (WFP) scale up its operations to assist up to 200,000 Jamaicans in their recovery from the disaster.
“We are grateful to The Weeknd for his generous support for WFP’s urgent relief efforts. His compassion will provide much needed comfort and resilience to Jamaicans as they navigate this crisis,” Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO, said in a statement.
He added, “When it comes to humanitarian disasters, WFP is among the world’s first responders. But our work is only possible through the generosity of our private sector donors and global partners.”
The Weeknd established his XO Humanitarian Fund in 2022, according to Complex, with the purpose of supporting the World Food Programme’s (WFP) efforts to combat the global hunger crisis. A significant portion of the funding is derived from his widely praised After Hours Til Dawn Tour.
Since its launch, the XO Humanitarian Fund has distributed over $6.5 million to provide food and support to people facing hunger worldwide. This includes a $4.5 million donation toward the WFP’s emergency response in Gaza and $2 million to support the WFP’s emergency food assistance for women and children in Ethiopia. Additionally, earlier this year, the fund contributed $1 million to assist Los Angeles County firefighters and affected residents.
Other celebrities have already joined relief efforts to aid affected residents after Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful tropical cyclone of 2025 so far.
Recently, reggae icon Norville “Shaggy” Rogers coordinated hurricane relief for Jamaica, mobilizing a private air fleet to rush critical aid to the island. Motivated by the widespread destruction, the reggae star felt compelled to leverage his influence to mobilize aid.
READ ALSO: Hurricane Melissa: Sean Paul to match up to $50K in donations for victims in Jamaica
Apart from him, Sean Paul also announced that he will match donations up to $50,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Jamaican dancehall singer disclosed this on Instagram as he spoke about how the hurricane is affecting his native country.
“Right now, my island of Jamaica is going through a really tough time,” Paul wrote alongside a video of himself standing outside. “Hurricane Melissa has caused serious damage, and many of our brothers and sisters are struggling—families displaced, homes destroyed, and communities in need of help.”
“Through the Sean Paul Foundation, we’ve partnered with Food For The Poor Jamaica to bring relief directly to those affected,” the rapper noted.
He continued, “I’m asking all my fans, friends, and supporters worldwide, if you can, please give what you can. Every donation counts, no matter how small. Together, we can make a big difference.”
He then mentioned how committed he was to matching up $50,000 in donations. “And to show how much this means to me, I’ll be matching every dollar raised, up to fifty thousand dollars,” Paul wrote. “Together, we can double the impact and help even more families get back on their feet.”
READ ALSO: Tributes paid to ex-Miss Universe Jamaica contestant who reportedly died by suicide at 26
