AN ALBUM FEATURING cover versions of U2 songs by acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Patti Smith, Depeche Mode and The Killers will help raise money for Concern and its ongoing work in East Africa.

The album (Ǎhk-to͝ong Bāy-Bi) Covered is a unique covers record of U2’s Achtung Baby and was conceived for Q Magazine to mark its  25th anniversary issue.

Of course, it also coincides with the 20th anniversary re-release of Achtung Baby.

The CD is available with Q Magazine’s December 2011 issue, which handily enough features U2 on the cover.

It is also available for download worldwide from today exclusively on the iTunes Store.

All proceeds will benefit Concern Worldwide’s work in famine-stricken areas of East Africa, where thousands of children have already died of hunger or related diseases and over 10 million people remain at risk.

Concern CEO Tom Arnold said that the crisis “is still very much an emergency” and that Concern is delighted that all of the parties involved “are making this hugely significant contribution to our work in the region”.

Arnold added:

“It is disappointing that such a major ongoing humanitarian situation has largely disappeared from the media headlines. Offering the proceeds from (Ǎhk-to͝ong Bāy-Bi) Covered to Concern’s East Africa appeal also provides a timely reminder that alleviation of the hunger and wider health crisis in the region must not be forgotten and should remain a global priority.

With over 25 years’ experience in East Africa, Concern has strong links with local communities and local partners, thereby increasing the agency’s effectiveness and impact in getting help and assistance to those that need it most.  The agency began responding to the needs of the current emergency since its onset in late 2010 and is currently reaching 680,000 people with clean water, food and nutritional care.

Find out more about the Concern East Africa appeal>

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