Red Cross to help Mongolian herdsmen hit by bitter winter
15 February 2001

Traditional nomadic herding families in Mongolia are on the verge of physical and mental exhaustion, and the Red Cross is concerned that many may not survive this bitter winter without immediate aid. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today appealed for 2.86 million Swiss francs (nearly 2 million US dollars) to help over 35,000 people for the next 12 months.

Ninety percent of Mongolia is covered with snow, further threatening the food security of large numbers of nomadic herders who rely entirely on their animals for survival. Blizzards and bitter cold for the last three months have caused the death of over 600,000 head of livestock and the loss of animals is likely to dramatically increase in the spring during the lambing season, as many will be too weak by then to give birth or to feed their offspring.

"We are concerned about the well-being of herders, who are physically exhausted from moving their herds around in search of grazing, and are mentally exhausted from watching their animals die of hunger," said Carl Pilkington, the Federation's relief coordinator in Mongolia.

"With this appeal, the Federation and Mongolian Red Cross aim to reach out to isolated communities. Funds raised will provide families with two six-month rations of wheat flour, which will provide a staple food," added Mr Pilkington.

In addition, 15,000 families will receive a simple transistor radio that will enable then to listen to weather reports and broadcasts on how best to cope with the ongoing disaster. They will also receive first aid kits as many of them are isolated from health services.

The herders are in desperate need of assistance after two consequent years of summer droughts and severe harsh winters with heavy snowfall, the scale of which is unprecedented in living memory even in a country that is used to enduring harsh weather conditions. In January, Mongolia witnessed the coldest weather in 50 years with temperatures dropping as low as -52°C.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Beijing: Solveig Olafsdottir, information delegate, tel: +41 79 217 3372
Moscow: Joe Lowry, information delegate, tel: +7502 937 5267
Geneva: Denis McClean, head of media service, tel: +41 22 730 4428

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.