Zimbabwe facing further drought

International aid officials have warned that Zimbabwe could face another drought in the coming year because of a possible lack of rainfall during the rainy season beginning in November.

A United States-based aid agency, the Famine Early Warning System Network said warm sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, usually associated with poor rainfall in Southern Africa, were beginning to develop.

Zimbabwe is already struggling to cope with a critical food shortage and has been importing grain.

The agency warned that the number of people relying on outside food aid could increase from just over 500,000 to 2.5m in the next few months.

The United Nations Food Programme blames the food shortages in Zimbabwe on a combination of factors, including the effects of the government's land reform programme, economic hardship, and drought in key areas.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service