Severe Winter Threatens Mongolians

Extreme cold and heavy snow since late last year threatens to push hundreds of thousands of people into hunger and deeper poverty in Mongolia. Herders are worried that their animals may not survive the winter.

[Mr. Baasanragchaa, Nomadic Herder]:
"This autumn we counted over 400 head of livestock including sheep, goats and cattle. So far, over 200 are lost and there are only around 200 head left. But these survivors look unable to survive until the warmer season comes because they are so skinny, even though we are feeding them with hay and fodder.”

The severe winter killed more than one million livestock, according to the country's National Emergency Management Agency, making it difficult for some families to survive.

[Francis Marcus, Communications Official, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies]:
"Because of the large numbers of livestock that have perished…many of the herder families, especially the poorest, those with herds of fewer than 200 livestock, may face a situation where they simply don't have enough animals left to make their livelihoods sustainable."

To make the situation worse, stockpiles of livestock fodder are low after the summer drought.

According to the U.N., the Mongolian government is focusing on seven provinces in which there are 52 villages considered to be in disaster. Within those villages the U.N. estimates around 177,000 people, including 72,000 children, are affected.

The road conditions are also preventing medical workers from reaching people in need of health care.

[Francis Marcus, International Federation of Red Cross]:
"We are seeking to help the most vulnerable families to somehow get through the next few months."

The Red Cross has already given thousands of dollars to Mongolia from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.