Don't forget Africa, says Sir Bob
Tuesday, 04 Jan 2005 12:51
Sir Bob Geldof: "We can't do anything about tsunamis but we can do something about Africa."
Sir Bob Geldof has warned that efforts to help Africa must not be forgotten in the wake of the Asian tsunami disaster.
He said the world had an opportunity in 2005 to make a genuine difference to the lives of people living in the poorest countries of the world.
With fellow musician Midge Ure, Sir Bob was the prime mover behind the Band Aid 20 single the proceeds of which are going towards aid for Africa.
Speaking on BBC radio he said: "2005 is a year that can be genuinely extraordinary for the things I am particularly interested in. We ended 2004 on a note of horror and we open 2005 with a genuine wave of compassion and kindness and interest. I think that can be used and capitalised in the year of Britain's G8 and presidency of the EU. I would like to be very intimately involved in that."
He described the tidal wave as "a monstrous tragedy" that could not be ignored, but said it was important that the aid effort in Asia must not distract the world's attention from the long term problems of international development in Africa.
"The tsunami must be dealt with but it is an act of God and an act of nature. Africa is an act of man. Millions die each year and that can be adjusted. We can resolve that issue. I don't think we can resolve issues like earthquakes and tidal waves."
"We can't do anything about tsunamis but we can do something about Africa."