Millions of Zimbabweans face starvation

The United Nations says more than five million people in Zimbabwe, about a third of the population need food aid, with many coming close to starving.

The world food programme, WFP, has launched a 331 million dollars appeal as the country battles the effects of drought, a cyclone and an economic crisis.

Head of the program, David Beasley said many Zimbabweans were in crisis emergency mode and marching towards starvation.

Zimbabwe’s problems were exacerbated when Cyclone Idai swept through the region earlier this year.

The huge storm, which also hit parts of Malawi and Mozambique, affected 570,000 Zimbabweans and left tens of thousands of them homeless.

Recent harvests have been badly affected by drought and the price of food has risen sharply.

Low water levels have also hit the main hydro-electric plant at Kariba, triggering rolling power cuts across the country.