• Grammy-winning artist contributes through XO Humanitarian Fund to support World Food Programme emergency response efforts
  • Donation will help deliver food assistance to approximately 200,000 Jamaicans recovering from catastrophic Category 5 storm
  • Hurricane Melissa impacted nearly six million people across Caribbean, leaving widespread destruction in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica (TDR) — The Weeknd donated $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund to support Jamaican families devastated by Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to strike the island in 174 years. The contribution announced Wednesday will enable the World Food Programme to scale emergency operations and reach approximately 200,000 people affected by the catastrophic October disaster.

Category 5 devastation leaves millions in need

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28 as a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane on record to directly hit the island since recordkeeping began in 1851. The slow-moving storm brought torrential rainfall up to 30 inches in some areas, triggering catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across the mountainous terrain. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the entire nation a disaster area as 77% of the country lost power and more than 140,000 people were cut off from essential services.

The storm claimed multiple lives and left communities demolished across St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica’s agricultural heartland. Nearly six million people across the Caribbean were impacted, with Jamaica bearing the brunt of Melissa’s fury.

Emergency food assistance reaches vulnerable families

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The World Food Programme has been working alongside the Jamaican government to deliver emergency food distributions to the worst-affected families. More than 9,000 people have already received food kits containing rice, lentils, canned fish and meat, and vegetable oil. Across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, WFP has reached 254,000 people with emergency assistance.

“We are grateful to The Weeknd for his generous support for WFP’s urgent relief efforts,” said Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO. “His compassion will provide much needed comfort and resilience to Jamaicans as they navigate this crisis.”

The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, serves as a WFP Goodwill Ambassador. He launched the XO Humanitarian Fund in 2022, fueled by proceeds from his After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour.

Growing legacy of global humanitarian support

Since its creation, the XO Humanitarian Fund has contributed and pledged more than $6.5 million to combat severe hunger worldwide. Previous donations include $4.5 million toward WFP’s emergency response in Gaza, $2 million for women and children in Ethiopia, and $1 million supporting Los Angeles County firefighters and residents during wildfires.

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The artist’s Jamaica donation comes as recovery efforts continue two weeks after the storm. Only two communities remain unreachable, down from 27 last week, though damaged infrastructure continues hampering relief delivery across the island. The WFP plans to extend cash assistance to up to 90,000 households as conditions allow.

Individuals wanting to join The Weeknd’s relief efforts can donate at www.wfpusa.org/helpjamaica.

Should more celebrities use their platforms and resources to support disaster relief efforts in vulnerable communities?

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