In an instance of bitter irony, a new musical, based on the world-renowned 1984 response to famine in Tigray and Wollo in Ethiopia, was launched in London yesterday. It coincides with massive-scale starvation in Ethiopia today, where Tigrayans in the north of the country are starving as a result of a destructive war, restrictions on food aid and drought.

It was Press Night at the Old Vic for Just For One Day; the Live Aid Musical which tells the story of the 1984 famine relief concert Live Aid.

Photo Tigrayans, after leafletting at the Old Vic

The musical is the story of how, in 1984, millions of pounds were raised from a generous public to feed starving people, mainly in Tigray and Wollo in northern Ethiopia.

In a catastrophic repeat of history, in this the 40th anniversary year of the 1984 famine, thousands have already died of starvation in Tigray and more people even than in 1984 will starve to death unless radical action is taken to improve access to food, medicines and other essentials.

A team of Tigrayans from the NGO Mekete Tigray [Shield Tigray] leafletted theatre-goers at the Press Night yesterday, dressed in their traditional clothes, to highlight the starvation that is engulfing Tigray. Volunteers will be leafletting future performances from 6pm.

In 1984, the world showed it cared as it was made aware of the urgency to save lives. Today there is a “Silent Famine” as the mainstream media has largely ignored it, pressured by other world-wide catastrophes. Social media has not filled the gap. Details of the leaflet follow

Drought cannot be avoided, famine can                                                                             1.2

Leaflet text:

Famine in Tigray

40 years after the Live Aid concert that saved millions of lives, famine is stalking Tigray once again, following two years of genocidal war.

As in 1984, the famine in Tigray is being denied by the Ethiopian government. 

Unlike the 1984 campaign, there is very little media coverage, so many are perishing in silence and unseen. Your generosity of the past is appreciated and never forgotten.

Please email MEKETETIGRAYUK2020@GMAIL.COM or visit @Tigrayupdate on Instagram, scan the QRcode to learn more about the famine in Tigray.

Tigray is starving in silence. Please support our campaign to bring this looming crisis to the world’s attention.

ENDS