Ulaanbaatar
Assistance Provided for Herdsmen Amid Dzud Disaster
Society
Ulaanbaatar, February 20, 2024 /MONTSAME/. Following Resolution №286 by the Government of Mongolia, a comprehensive assessment of wintering conditions was conducted across Mongolia. The assessment revealed that 21 soums in five aimags are currently grappling with iron (or glass) dzud*, with snow density ranging from 0.35 to 1.05 g/cm3. Furthermore, 89 soums in 17 aimags are facing white dzud, while 82 soums in the same 17 aimags are experiencing moderate white dzud**.
Responding to the urgent needs of affected communities, the Mongolian Red Cross Society has initiated assistance efforts, providing cash and mineral feed support to 4,000 herder families in 19 aimags and 1 district affected by iron and white dzud.
Today, an online meeting of the relief work team was convened, attended by key figures including Battsetseg Batmunkh, the President of the Mongolian Red Cross Society, Bolormaa Nordov, the Secretary General, and the heads of Red Cross Committees from 21 aimags and 9 districts.
In a significant gesture of solidarity, the Ulaanbaatar Railway Joint Venture Company has donated MNT 500 million to support herders and their livestock impacted by the dzud disaster nationwide. Urging widespread participation, Ulaanbaatar Railway JVC emphasized the vital role of every citizen and organization in contributing to the donation campaign, particularly during such challenging times affecting the nation's welfare.
*Iron
(or glass) dzud happens when grasses are covered with impenetrable ice that is
produced through melted and refrozen snow (most likely occurring during spring
and autumn).
**White dzud defined as conditions during which grasses that grow during the summer and decay during the subsequent cold season are covered by deep snow, preventing grazing. The snow depth during these conditions substantially exceeds plant height. This is the most common and disastrous dzud type.
