"Uniting voices for 40 years: The anthem that advocated global unity and cooperation"

"Uniting voices for 40 years: The anthem that advocated global unity and cooperation"

Rockin' for a Cause Every Thursday on TVE's La 2 and Play

Dive into the heart-wrenching story of a devastating famine that struck Ethiopia in 1983, leaving over one and a half million souls in its wake. The harrowing tale unfolds in the powerful documentary United as One, airing every Thursday at 23:40 on TVE's La 2 and from 20:00 on our website Play.

This documentary features raw, unseen footage of the tragedy, as BBC journalists braved treacherous conditions to bring the world the true story of the famine. Moved by the news, legendary Irish musician Bob Geldof decided to take action. Along with other musical mavericks, he cranked out a smash hit that woke the world up to the suffering in Ethiopia, 40 years ago.

How did it all go down?

From 1983 to 1985, Ethiopia faced a terrifying trifecta: a debilitating drought, a vicious civil war, and the iron-fisted rule of the Marxist leader, Mengistu Haile Mariam. He mercilessly denied food aid to those in need, turning this situation into a grim humanitarian catastrophe. "An amoral regime that used food as a weapon of war," Michael Buerke, the BBC correspondent who braved the harsh famine, explains.

As conditions worsened, Buerke and his team managed to outmaneuver the government restrictions and broadcast the truth of the crisis. "We stumbled upon the worst natural disaster of the 20th century," Buerke shares. Thousands upon thousands of people were crowded onto the parched land with nothing to eat. "There were 100,000 people starving to death there; it was the closest thing to hell on earth," Buerke reported in one of his chronicles, in October 1984.

Gayle Smith, a seasoned journalist specializing in Eastern Africa, remarks, 40 years later, that "the invisible famine was spreading rapidly; the BBC broadcast breathed life into its existence."

Turning tragedy into a symphony of hope

The first BBC team report on the horrific conditions aired on October 25, 1984. The world watched in shock as Bob Geldof, inspired by the report, jumped into action. He gathered the best of London's musical talent to form a legendary collaboration known as Band Aid.

Seeing Geldof's endeavor in Europe, UNICEF member and renowned singer Harry Belafonte spearheaded another initiative in the United States. "I thought a more impactful campaign was necessary to raise awareness about the sheer gravity of the famine," Belafonte said in 1984.

A song had to be born, capable of reaching people's hearts and souls. "The song, the cause, the movement, it all made perfect sense," confesses Lionel Richie, who co-created We are the World, the tune that united the world and generated over $250 million in sales.

Forty of the most influential American and British singers of the 80s gathered in secret to record the emotional ballad that would become a global sensation in just a few weeks. "We are the world" continues to raise funds 40 years later. Every cent earned is spent helping those still affected by famine.

Geldof and the Live Aid Prism

With the success of We are the World underway, Geldof wanted to push the envelope even further. The wave of support culminated in what is considered the largest concert in history. Sixteen hours of music to combat famine in Africa. Bob Geldof and Scottish musician Midge Ure, leader of the new-wave band Ultravox, organized the groundbreaking Live Aid event.

The concert took place on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. 72,000 attendees in London and 90,000 more in Philadelphia experienced the ultimate musical extravaganza, featuring live performances by the icons of the time, such as Queen, The Who, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Phil Collins, and many more.

It reached a staggering 1.9 billion viewers worldwide, representing 40% of the population at the time. The concert raised an astounding $100 million for famine relief in Ethiopia.

"Never before had musicians become such a powerful agent for change and with such unparalleled fundraising prowess." reflects Salim Amin. "We are the world" and the groundbreaking Live Aid event continue to inspire us to question: how can we make the world a fairer place for all?

1. In the realm of environmental science, the average person might be unaware of the ongoing impact of climate-change on our planet, a issue that frequently graces the pages of general-news outlets.
2. The devastating famine that struck Ethiopia in 1983, despite being a tragedy of the past, serves as a grim reminder in social-media discussions about the importance of humanitarian aid in times of crisis, such as famine.
3. The music industry, having played a pivotal role in raising awareness and funds for Ethiopia's famine relief, continues to impact politics and pop-culture, with projects like sports-betting and crime-and-justice following similar patterns of using media and entertainment for social change.
4. As we watch powerful documentaries like 'United as One,' we cannot help but ponder how scientific advancements might aid in preventing such climate-change catastrophes in the future.
5. Environmental-science and climate-change are increasingly making their way into the limelight of science, shedding light on the urgent need for sustainable practices across various industries, including entertainment, politics, and sports.
6. Famed journalist Michael Buerke's work during Ethiopia's devastating famine not only opened eyes to climate-change's disastrous consequences but also showcased the power of science, media, and politics in tackling global issues of this magnitude.

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