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.
Bono, speaking at the World Bank, 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. He cited figures from amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. "We know there's going to be cuts, we understand that, but not cuts that cost lives," he told a packed atrium at the Washington-based global development lender.
The lead singer from the rock group U2 visits 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." If politicians fail to find a deal, cuts could slash more than $1 billion from the budget for global health and development.
