Sodeinde QuadriMongolia is grappling with an unprecedented challenge as it endures its most severe winter in fifty years, a bitter cold that has claimed the lives of over 4.7 million animals and is now imperiling the livelihoods and sustenance of thousands of people, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).
The harsh conditions, referred to as “dzud,” are marked by plummeting temperatures and thick blankets of snow and ice covering grazing lands, rendering them inaccessible to livestock. This situation poses a grave threat to the survival of traditional nomadic herders, approximately 300,000 in number, who rely on their cattle, goats, and horses for sustenance and income.
Alexander Matheou, the IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, highlighted the dire circumstances facing these herders, stating that within a span of a few months, many have been reduced to destitution, unable to feed themselves or even heat their homes.
Since November, over 2,250 herder families have reported losses of more than 70% of their livestock, exacerbating an already critical situation. The IFRC estimates that more than 7,000 families are now facing food shortages.
Advertisement
Despite the onset of spring, winter continues to grip Mongolia, with snow still covering the ground and livestock continuing to perish. The government declared a state of heightened readiness, extending until May 15, while the IFRC issued an appeal for funds to alleviate the suffering of those who have lost their means of livelihood.
Matheou emphasized that despite preparations, the severity of the conditions has surpassed expectations, causing widespread economic devastation and disrupting essential services such as healthcare and education, particularly in rural areas where heavy snowfall has rendered roads impassable.
The cycle of dzuds, characterized by summer droughts followed by heavy snowfall and extreme cold, has become increasingly frequent, leaving little time for pastures and herders to recover. Mongolia’s vulnerability to such events is exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, with average temperatures rising significantly over the past seven decades, according to the UN Development Programme.
This winter’s crisis is forecasted to surpass the devastation wrought by the dzud of 2010, further underscoring the urgent need for assistance to mitigate the profound impacts on the lives and livelihoods of Mongolian herders.
