Bono says spending cuts to U.S. development aid would harm global health efforts

Nov 16 2012

Speaking at the World Bank on Wednesday, "Irish rock star and anti-poverty activist Bono said thousands of people could die from AIDS if the United States cuts development assistance to reduce the budget deficit," Reuters reports. Bono is in "Washington this week to urge politicians to spare U.S. development aid, as Congress is embroiled in negotiations aimed at preventing looming tax hikes and spending cuts known as the 'fiscal cliff,'" the news agency writes. Citing "figures from amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research," Bono said "a shrinking U.S. budget for global health would leave more than 275,000 people without treatment for the autoimmune disease, leading to 63,000 more AIDS-related deaths," the news service writes (Yukhananov, 11/14). "We know there's going to be cuts. ... We understand that. But not cuts that cost lives," Bono said, according to the Wall Street Journal (11/14). "Bono ... also spoke to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on Wednesday about the need for transparent data to fight corruption, and the deadline for eliminating poverty," Reuters adds (11/14). "According to Bono, who peppered his serious speech with jokes, guaranteeing transparency would be the biggest 'turbo-charger' to the fight against extreme poverty," the Manila Bulletin reports (11/15). Business Insider provides video footage of the singer's discussion with Kim (Ro, 11/14).