Heavy snowfalls and extreme winter temperatures are threatening Mongolia’s already impoverished herder community for the fourth year in a row, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns today. Millions of livestock upon which herders depend for their food, livelihood and transport, are expected to die this winter from cold and hunger.
More than 665,000 people across 17 of the 21 provinces are affected by the “dzud” - a Mongolia- specific winter disaster which succeeds widespread drought in the summer. Animals, already weakened by poor pasture during the summer drought, starve as they cannot access what little pasture there may remain below the heavy snow. The three previous years of dzuds have already killed more than 6 million livestock, leaving many thousands of families without any means of subsistence and consequently, in poor health. More than 24,000 animals are reported to have died since the start of the year alone.
In response, the International Federation has launched an appeal for US$ 2.7 million to support the Mongolian Red Cross in assisting 115,000 people through the winter and spring months. Families will be provided with supplementary food, warm clothing for children and boots for adults so they can continue to herd remaining livestock on foot if their horses die. The provision of children’s clothing is partly to address the significant rise in school-drop out rates as parents are unable to equip their children.
In addition, the Mongolian Red Cross will distribute radios among herder communities, a vital source of weather information as well as advice on health and agricultural issues.
“A Red Cross Red Crescent assessment found that the impact of the previous three dzuds had left many herder families totally unable to cope with yet another disaster. The number of herders who have lost all their livestock has increased while the under-nutrition and stunting of children is becoming more common as families become destitute,” said Richard Grove-Hills, head of the International Federation’s East Asia regional office in Beijing.
The loss of livestock and a way of life has driven tens of thousands of people into urban areas where there are little or no welfare support structures to help them. Unemployment is rife - an estimated 50 per cent in some areas according to some experts - and the resulting poverty great.
“The situation among herder families is now critical as what fodder they may have is running out. It won’t be until May when animals can again have access to pasture. The next few months will be really difficult and among those who have already lost a way of life, and those herders who face that prospect now, we are seeing increasing levels of depression and mental illness,” said Samdan Dobje, Secretary General of the Mongolian Red Cross.
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