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The world hoped never to see pictures like this again. But 23 years after the devastating famine of 1985 swept Ethiopia - it's back again with horribly reminiscent scenes. Rains have failed in Southern Ethiopia's Oromomia region leading to drought and poor harvests. People are travelling long distances to search for water. Malnutrition and disease are already affecting a weakened population. Starving children are arriving daily at hospitals, health centres and churches emaciated and desperate. SOUNDBITE: Head of Missionaries of Charity Ethiopia and Djibouti, Sister Benedicta saying: (English) "It is true, there is no rain for the last six months and the harvest which should be getting ready by now is not even sown, in the fields, it is true people have plough their fields for some time. Whenever they see cloud or a little rain comes they sow their fields. But even failing of rain for six months causes such a disaster." UNICEF says 6 million Ethiopian children under 5 may be at risk of malnutrition. The World Food Programme estimated 3.4 million people will need food relief from July to September. Aid agencies have rushed in to try to save the lives of children who are most at risk. SOUNDBITE: Field Doctor - Doctors Without Borders, Emiliano Lucero saying: (English) " We have a lot of children right now. Slowly by slowly, we are trying to improve their medical condition." But record food prices are not helping the situation - Ethiopia needs 197 million U.S. dollars to meet the food shortfall. That may spell disaster for another generation of Ethiopians born into the world's worst hunger. Penny Tweedie, Reuters.