Geldof in Ethiopia to mark 25 years since famine

The hospital is expected to cater for the district's 250,000 people when completed in four years time.

Twenty-five years after releasing a hit single to raise funds for victims of Ethiopia's infamous famine, Bob Geldof on Wednesday visited one of the then worst-affected villages in the north of the Horn of Africa country.

Dozens of children and women greeted the Irish rock star as he arrived in Korem village, some 600 kilometres (370 miles) north of the capital Addis Ababa, waving placards emblazoned - No more deaths from hunger. -

- It's a miracle to come back after 25 years to this beautiful place and see you all in healthy shape - the 49-year-old told a cheering crowd, among them survivors of the devastating hunger.

Geldof arrived in Korem the same day 25 years ago when he released "Do they know it's Chrismas?," a song he co-wrote after galvanising some of the world's top musicians to participate in the charity drive.

- What happened here deeply affected every human being outside of Ethiopia - he said. - Nobody who was here 25 years ago doubted that you could rebuild your lives in the way you have now. -

Geldof spoke at a hospital site financed by his Band Aid group, British author J.K. Rowling and other donors. The hospital is expected to cater for the district's 250,000 people when completed in four years time.

The site bears great symbolism as it was the feeding centre where BBC's live footage of dying children propped up against their skeletal mothers was shot and broadcast to the world.