A column of relief aid left Ulaanbaatar on February 1 for herders in Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Gobi-Altai, Dundgobi, Omnogobi, Ovorkhangai, Uvs, Khovd, Khovsgol, Zavkhan and Tov provinces that areunder extremely difficult winter circumstances. In response to an appeal by the Government and the State Emergency Commission, Tgs1 billion, 404 million worth of aid, donated by individuals, entities, public and NGOs, international humanitarian organizations, have been shipped to help herders. The aid includes hay, forage, rice, flour, fuel, medical products, felt boots, warm clothes and other supplies.

A sending-off ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Speaker D. Demberel, Prime Minister S.Batbold, Government members, authorities of the capital city administration, representations of public and nongovernmental organizations.

About 90 percent of the Mongolian territory has now been covered with snow and 1,712,259 (one million, seven hundred twelve thousand, and two hundred fifty-nine) head of livestock perished nationwide as of January 31.

According to the ministry, 29 soums of 7 provinces are declared in the disaster area; 35 soums of 6 provinces suffered from dzud; 74 of 14 provinces are severely affected and 75 of 12 aimags might suffer from the severe winter.

*****

The United Nations is raising concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in Mongolia, brought on by drought and temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius in most provinces.

The extreme weather conditions, known locally as dzud, have already caused the deaths of more than one million livestock, as supplies of fodder dwindle. The situation is threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Mongolians, who depend on livestock herding as their main source of income.

Rana Flowers, the United Nation’s acting representative in Mongolia, told Radio Australia that malnutrition rates are expected to rise. “Already with over 20 percent of the population suffering from chronic malnutrition, we’re anticipating that that the figure will rise,” she said. “Obviously, getting food and nutritious snacks and vitamins and minerals out to the population is one of the key concerns that we’re facing at the moment.” Ms. Flowers says the last dzud occurred 2000-2001 when there was also an increase in chronic malnutrition levels of the population.

Mongolia’s government has already launched an appeal to the donor community for food, medical supplies and heating facilities.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is already collecting and distributing warm clothing to the most vulnerable. Tia Farrell, an international volunteer with Mongolia’s Red Cross Society, says there are reports of as many as 22,200 children residing in dormitories that are inaccessible due to snowy conditions. “They have been unable to get home to their families. They are in 265 dormitories around the country, with poor heating and a limited food supply,” she said.

*****

On February 1, six military planes carrying aid materials from China landed at the ‘Chingis Khaan’ international airport. On the same day, the aid materials went to aimags with worsened overwintering.

The government of the People’s Republic of China presented CNY10 million worth of non-refundable aid materials to herdsmen, including 43 tons of food, 1,050 boxes of broiled meat, 3,850 boxes of sausages, 2,500 boxes of ready food, 400 generators, 16,000 blankets and 500,000 kg of rice.

Present at the ceremony for receiving the aid were M.Enkhbold, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia and Yu Hongyao, head of the State Emergency Commission, the Ambassador of China to Mongolia, and other officials.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the support is an expression of bilateral brotherhood and friendly relations. Then he expressed gratitude to China’s people and government and wished for Mongolia-China relations and cooperation to widen.

The Chinese Ambassador expressed his confidence that the aid will contribute to helping herdsmen to overcome the disaster and to reduce damage. According to him, some aimags of China’s Inner Mongolia are also rendering support to Mongolians.

<< BACK