Aid concert a success, organisers say

A Live Aid-style concert launched in Ethiopia to fight the devastating drought was hailed a success by organisers on Monday who raised more than US $1 million on the day. Thousands gathered in the capital Addis Ababa on Sunday as the concert called 'A Birr for a Compatriot' – the local currency worth US 10 cents - got underway. Top Ethiopian singers, including the internationally acclaimed Teddy Afro, played the five hour concert to thousands who packed into Meskel Square in the centre of the capital. Ethiopian billionaire investor, Sheik Mohamed Hussein Al-Amoudi, bought four tickets for one million Birr each – around US $120,000 each. The organisers aim to raise US $1.6 million to fight the drought that has hit 12.6 million people and the fundraising effort will continue until September. “This is so important to our country and has been a great success," concert organiser Salome Tadesse said. “All these people came to fight hunger and poverty. This should not just be left to the government, everyone must rally to the cause.” Simon Mechale, head of the Ethiopian government’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC), said the concert would send a message to the world that the country was trying to fight the disaster. “We are ashamed that we have to keep passing around the begging bowl,” he said at the start of the concert. “This will convey a message to those helping us that we are doing as much as we can.” He acknowledged the money was a tiny fraction of the US $800 million needed but added: “It is not the amount of money we raise but it is the participation that is important.” Thousands waved flags and chanted as the concert – which was also beamed out live on state television – began. Ethiopian singers also collaborated to produce the song Negarit – meaning War Drum in Amharic – aimed rising funds and awareness of the drought. The song was performed to open the festival and mark the start of a telethon where bidders could donate cash to the fund. The original Live Aid, the brainchild of Irish singer Sir Bob Geldof, was beamed across the world in 1985, raising $60 million for the victims of famine in Ethiopia. Ironically the singer returns to Ethiopia for the first time on Monday to witness the current drought.