United Nations, November 15 (RHC)-- In Zimbabwe, the United Nations is warning that 5.5 million rural residents -- nearly one-third of Zimbabwe’s population -- are at risk of food shortages due to a devastating drought brought on by climate change. 

The head of the World Food Program is appealing for $331 million in emergency food aid, warning: “People are marching towards starvation if we are not here to help them.”

Wildlife has been affected, too.  Tinaapi Madiri, Zimbabwe’s national elephant manager, said more than 200 elephants have died of dehydration and starvation in recent weeks.

Madiri told reporters: “Going into the future with the increased droughts due to climate change and other phenomenon, we are likely to experience more and more of this drought, which could possibly impact significantly on our elephant population.”