The UK’s Daily Mail reports toady that Bono’s ONE foundation received donations of 9.6 million pounds in 2008.
Only 118,000 pounds (just over 1%) was given to people in need.
5.1 million pounds was paid in salaries. The rest was spent on ‘raising awareness.’ And sunglasses.
To be fair, the ONE foundation has always advertised itself (which it does very well) as an advocacy organisation.
For example, one of the things it advocates for is increased government commitment to development assistance for developing nations.
You know, the kind of development assistance that developing nation economists have been saying for years should be stopped, because it hinders real local and national economic development, and slows the climb out of poverty.