Toronto native, The Weeknd is the son to Ethiopian immigrants so, it’s not surprise that the suffering from the conflict in Ethiopia is near and dear to his heart.

On Instagram, The Weeknd wrote, “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 fighting between the Ethiopian army and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has left millions homeless.

In November, the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent forces to the Tigray region after accusing the TPLF of attacking the government’s military base.

Last week, a BBC Africa Eye investigation discovered evidence that suggests the Ethiopian military, carried out a massacre in Tigray killing approximately 15 people.

According to Tigray’s interim administration, more than two million people have left their homes to get away from the fighting.

The Weeknd is donating $1 million, towards the UN’s World Food Programme to pay for two million meals.

 

 

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In 2015, The Weeknd told the Rolling Stone magazine that his grandmother used to take him to the Ethiopian Orthodox church in Canada and that his singing style was influenced by Ethiopian singer Aster Aweke.