Zimbabwe state of disaster declared

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has declared a state of disaster in the rural parts of the country severely hit by drought. 

The country has been experiencing abnormally low rainfall since last year, with an estimated 1.5 million people in need of food aid, according to the UN. 

Thousands of livestock have reportedly died.

President Mugabe's decision comes days after the European Union urged him to declare a state of disaster so that international donors can raise money quickly to provide food aid.

The government has urged Zimbabweans not to panic because of an agreement with Zambia to buy maize from there.