05 March 2010

1985 famine - Aid for Arms in Ethiopia?

UPDATE (04 Nov 2010): BBC apology over Band Aid money reports
The BBC has apologised to Band Aid over reports claiming millions of pounds raised by the charity for famine relief in Ethiopia had been used to buy arms. 

The 1984/85 famine in Ethiopia was a widespread famine affecting the inhabitants of today's Eritrea & Ethiopia. Media activity in the West (spearheaded by Bob Geldorf) led to the "Do They Know It's Christmas?" or "We are the World" charity singles and the July 1985 concert Live Aid, which raised roughly $100m. The BBC just published evidence that the aid was diverted to buying weapons instead of feeding the starving.

Assignment - Aid for Arms in Ethiopia
Thu, 4 Mar 10
Duration: 23 mins

It was a charity appeal on a global scale. In 1985, an unprecedented array of performers took part in two marathon, televised concerts in Britain and the United States - all to raise money for a terrible famine in Ethiopia. And it worked. It's thought the concerts eventually generated about two hundred and fifty million dollars in donations from the public. But now, evidence has emerged that the aid agencies charged with distributing that money, were hoodwinked: that millions of dollars were diverted to buy weapons for rebels in Ethiopia - and that the United States knew this was going on. For Assignment, Martin Plaut investigates. [src.]

1 comment:

  1. Bob Geldorf: "If there is any money missing I will sue the Ethiopian government" more on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8554048.stm

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