Farmers in Zimbabwe have already struggled with erratic rainfall and a fragile economy this year, but now they look set to suffer the effects of an El Niño-related drought, UN aid agencies said on Tuesday.

In a bid to help an estimated 3.9 million people who face severe food insecurity between now and April, the World Food Programme (WFP) and partners are stepping up relief to those most in need – particularly those in the southern districts and other smallholders in the west and north of the country.

In an interview with Daniel Johnson from UN News, WFP’s Niels Balzer explained what disruption the El Niño weather phenomenon could bring.