The World Food Program (WFP) is preparing to scale up food distribution in Zimbabwe following a declaration of a state of disaster by President Robert Mugabe last week.
The number of people needing food assistance is now being estimated at 2,4 million, as opposed to the 1,5 million estimated earlier.
Indications are that up to 3 million people may need of food aid in the country with a huge grain deficit.
David Orr, the WFP communications officer for southern Africa, told Studio 7 that the drought situation in Zimbabwe is serious.
President Mugabe declared a state of disaster saying the country is gripped by a severe drought, which has so far killed thousands of livestock.
Some civic society organizations and opposition parties started calling for government action and declaration of a state of disaster last year saying this would help the country in looking for much-needed aid.
Agriculturalists told VOA Studio 7 that the declaration of a state of disaster, although coming late, would make it easier for local and international organizations to mobilize resources for Zimbabwe.