The United Nations says it needs $131 million in humanitarian assistance to meet food, water and emergency needs in Zimbabwe.

The U.N. humanitarian coordinator, Alain Noudehou, said Tuesday at least $110 million of the money will be used to provide food for more than 1.6 million Zimbabweans facing starvation this year.

Noudehou said the appeal is less than the previous year's $197 million because of "a steady improvement" in the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe brought about by an upturn in some sectors of the economy.

The U.N. said this year's food shortages are "worse" compared to the past three years due to drought, erratic rains and cash shortages to buy seed and fertilizers for impoverished farmers in the countryside, many who took over formerly white-owned farms.