The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its Zambian counterpart are appealing for $3.5m (£2.7m) in donations to avert "catastrophic" food insecurity that it says could affect 2.3 million people.

Low rainfall and waterlogging have destroyed many crops, the humanitarian groups say.

A lack of drinking water caused by drought means that "people and animals - both livestock and wildlife - are having to use the same water points," says Zambia Red Cross's head, Kaitano Chungu.

"This is unacceptable as it exposes people to diseases and creates a heightened risk of animal attacks."

Food relief has been provided over the past few months, the ICRC says in a statement, but adds "more help is needed".

Sacks of corn and grain stock feed stacked on top of one another.