AFRICA: ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe declares drought disaster

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has declared a state of disaster in rural parts of the country hit by a drought. The announcement comes days after the EU urged Mr Mugabe to declare a state of disaster so donors can raise money quickly to provide food aid.

An estimated 2.4 million people are now in need of food aid, more than a quarter of the population. The government has urged Zimbabweans not to panic, as it is importing maize from neighbouring Zambia. South Africa, Namibia and Botswana have also been badly hit.