'Forty years on, why we must join together to ‘feed the world’'
Peter Waddup, CEO - The Leprosy Mission Great Britain
Band Aid's Do They Know It’s Christmas is vying for the coveted Christmas Number 1 spot. It follows a shaky start for the 2024 Ultimate Mix of the iconic song. The megamix featuring George Michael, Sinead O’Connor, Chris Martin and One Direction, failed to chart two weeks ago. It was a real blow to Sir Bob Geldof who worked to bring generations of superstars together via the wonders of AI. By contrast, each previous version of Do They Know It's Christmas has flown straight to the top of the charts.
The fortunes of the little pop song that went on to feed millions have now turned around! The 40th anniversary remix went to number 8 in its second week and could now top the charts by Christmas. With every copy sold or streamed, food reaches hungry stomachs. It's incredible really.
The song thrown together in a day back in 1984, holds a special place in my heart. I remember feeling a real calling to be part of the relief effort when watching Michael Buerke's legendary broadcast on the Ethiopia famine. But as a young accountant at the time, I just couldn't figure out how this could work! Yet the urge to play a small part in addressing some of the many injustices in this world never left.
After volunteering as a trustee for The Leprosy Mission in 2011, I joined as Chief Executive in 2017. The work is all encompassing and I've seen some terribly hard situations in Asia and Africa. People affected by leprosy are always the poorest of the poor. They are always among the first hit by famine, flooding and other climate-exacerbated disasters. Yet, because of people here in the UK, lives in Asia and Africa are being changed for the better each day. It is a wonderful privilege to be part of this life-changing and life-enhancing work.
Each reincarnation of Band Aid - in 2004, 2014 and now 2024 - has the benefit of bringing the world's problems to the forefront of people's minds. Yet with every reincarnation there is an increasing backlash. A growing voice says it is patronising to portray Africa as a barren land that needs Western intervention. Many argue that Band Aid simply perpetuates a harmful colonial white saviour model.
The debate is now causing a divide within the music industry. Despite a huge support for Band Aid 40 from musicians, this time around many are taking a stance. This includes Ed Sheeran who featured on the 2014 version of the song. He says his views have now changed. He would've declined the use of his vocals on the new megamix if only he was asked.
The international development landscape has changed dramatically since 1984. In fact it is pretty much unrecognisable from the turn of the Century and this is a good thing. There has been a real shift in the power imbalance and aid no longer operates solely on Western terms. Decision-making is increasingly put in the hands of the people directly impacted by aid programs. The Leprosy Mission used to send staff overseas and some incredible work was done. But now we rely on the expertise and knowledge of staff in the countries in which we work. The voices of people affected by leprosy are increasingly shaping the design of our new projects.
Yet the cruel irony is that as the 'Band Aid debate' intensifies each decade, so does the hunger. The latest United Nations annual report makes stark reading. Climate crisis, conflict and economic shocks have left global food systems 'disastrously vulnerable'. The report states that if current trends continue, almost 600 million people will face severe hunger by 2030. A total of 53% of these people - more than 300 million - live in Africa.
There is no doubt that governments need to do more to address climate change, food security and conflict. These major issues are threatening billions of lives today. At the same time we know that there are many things to celebrate. Some African countries are flourishing economically. Sustainable development is equipping millions of people with the tools to thrive.
But the truth is there are 26 million people in Sudan alone facing crisis levels of hunger today. That's half the country's population. We all agree that black lives matter. But then a humanitarian crisis like the one in Sudan right now barely makes headlines.
So whether Band Aid is a relic of our colonial past or not, does time allow any alternative than to join together to help feed the world? Despite its arguably outdated lyrics, the top 10 single is putting food in hungry stomachs right now. Whether it's giving to Band Aid or to other charities, as humans I cannot see any other option than to help our fellow humans in their greatest hour of need.
