Ethiopian Band Aid money 'was used by rebels to fight government rather than buying food'

"Millions of pounds of aid money intended to help starving Ethiopians during the 1984-85 famine were instead used by rebels to buy weapons, it has been claimed.

Rebel soldiers pretended to be traders in order to siphon off cash from Western donations to fund their attempts to overthrow the government, according to a BBC investigation.

One rebel leader claimed that around £63m from Western governments and charities including Band Aid was used by the rebels instead of going to those who needed it."

Now you know why rock stars get you to give money instead of donating themselves.