Drought turns to desperation in Madagascar as people begin to starve

Marisoa, 34, with her three children suffering from malnutrition due to the lack of food. Photos: Tsiory Andriantsoarana/WFP/dpa

Hundreds of thousands of people in Madagascar are on the brink of starvation following the worst drought seen on the East African island for 30 years. The situation is "catastrophic", according to one aid organisation.

There is already no clean drinking water and hardly any food in the south of the island. Many people have been forced to eat cactus fruit, clay mixed with tamarind juice, locusts and even leaves simply to survive.