A severe weather event in Mongolia, known as a “dzud,” has placed 90% of the country in a state of high risk.
The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia reports that approximately 190,000 households of herders are facing difficulties due to insufficient feed, rapidly increasing prices, and increased vulnerabilities.
Herding and livestock have traditionally been integral to Mongolia’s economy, culture and way of life. Estimates indicate that there are over 64 million livestock this winter season in Mongolia.
“The Office stated in a recent update that the escalating harshness of weather patterns is worsening the crisis, emphasizing the pressing requirement for humanitarian aid and long-term solutions to aid Mongolia’s rural communities and traditional means of living.”
For two consecutive years, the nation has been dealing with these extreme circumstances. In the previous winter, approximately 70% of the country experienced the impact.
What are dzuds?
Dzuds, a peculiar slow-onset disaster unique to Mongolia, are extreme winters characterized by freezing temperatures, heavy snow and ground so frozen that animals cannot reach pasture.
These circumstances often occur after a hot and dry summer, resulting in limited grazing opportunities. As a result, livestock are unable to accumulate enough fat reserves for the winter season.
The UN ESCAP reports that dzuds have been occurring more frequently and with greater severity since 2015, attributed to the worsening effects of climate change and inadequate environmental management.
This season, the double occurrence of “white” and “iron” dzud is characterized by a thick layer of snow that is hindering animals from reaching grass (white dzud). This is accompanied by a brief period of melting followed by a rapid freeze, resulting in pastures being covered in ice (iron dzud).
Dzuds freeze the soil, leaving animals unable to access pasture. In this file photo, a horse grazes on tree bark as there is noting else to eat.
Children at risk
More than 258,000 individuals, including 100,000 children, have been impacted by the blockage of roads due to heavy snow. This has resulted in children being unable to reach crucial health, nutrition, education, and social services, according to UNICEF.
According to the agency, herder families, who are heavily affected by the dzud, frequently have to entrust their children to relatives or send them to boarding schools. This can heighten risks to their safety and well-being and also cause emotional strain.
Urgent requirements for February to March consist of financial support for road cleaning initiatives, medical supplies, radios for facilitating remote education, and child protection measures.
Response
The EOC has been activated by the Government and the Deputy Prime Minister has been tasked with leading and organizing the response efforts.
Prior to the disaster, UNICEF had sent out 120 emergency health kits, 20 hygiene kits, and child protection kits to provinces as a precautionary measure.
The organization has an additional 555 sanitation kits available for delivery and is acquiring 20 comprehensive health kits to aid in the response, which includes providing vitamin D to young children.
UNICEF will also support the distribution of portable digital audio devices pre-loaded with audio lessons to herder households with school-age children to ensure continuity of learning.
Source: news.un.org
