UNITED NATIONS - The UN food agency on Monday said that more than 1.6 million Zimbabwean people will need food aid after a poor cereal harvest this year in the East African country.

"The World Food Program (WFP) says that more than 1.6 million people will need food aid in Zimbabwe during the peak hunger season, which begins in January," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said at a daily news briefing here. "It follows a 33 percent decrease in the national cereal harvest this year."

"The decrease is due to late and erratic rains and poor agricultural practices," he said.

"The UN food agency, in collaboration with the (Zimbabwean) government, will intensify operations to meet the growing need," he said. "Food will be distributed and cash transfers will be provided to vulnerable people."