Dzud situation

According to National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring dzud1 assessment, 80.6% of the entire country is experiencing Dzud. This includes 21.8% is in Iron/Ice Dzud, 52.3% is in White Dzud, and 25.9% is in near Dzud condition as of 23 February 2024.

The total mortality rate of livestock reached 2,100,000 (3.1% of the overall livestock) as of 23 February 2024 and it is projected to be increased to 5.2% by March 2024 according to Emergency operation center (EOC was established under the State emergency commission).

Humanitarian situation

This year, a total of 185,937 herder families who are solely dependent on livestock as a source of income is winterizing in the Dzud affected areas. As of 20 Feb 2024, 37.5% of total herder families are suffering from Dzud situation by 20 February 2024. From which, 39,414 families lack hay and fodder, 7863 families lack food, 5890 families lack fuel, and 13,677 families lack health services as of 21 February 2024. Furthermore, 13,573 families have no access to the road, and 2032 herder families’ animal shelter and ger (Mongolian traditional house) have been covered by heavy snow.

According to the EOC projection, the percentage of herder families are suffering from Dzud will increase to 53.7% by March 2024.

Government action

According to the State Emergency Commission, Emergency operation center, the government has taken the following action since the harsh winter condition:

· Following the initial heavy snowstorms and snowfall in winter 2023/2024, the Mongolia State Emergency Commission (SEC) issued an order on 8 November 2023, to establish an Emergency Working Group (EWG) headquartered at NEMA.

· The Emergency working group, comprising relevant government agencies and MRCS, facilitated the activation of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) on 8 December 2023, under the State Emergency Commission at NEMA. The EOC consists of representatives from various entities such as the Ministry of Road and Transport Development (MRTD), the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Health, The General Authority for Border Protection, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Defense, National Police Agency, General Authority for Veterinary Services, NAMEM, Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority, Ministry of Foreign A airs, Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry, Ministry of Digital Development and Communications, National Statistics Office, and MRCS. EOC members are mandated to coordinate with their local branches within their sectors. The EOC's primary objectives are to monitor and assess the situation, exchange information, and develop a joint early action plan for effective coordination at all levels. This initiative is led by the Deputy Chief of NEMA and co-led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Food,

Agriculture, and Light Industry (MOFALI). After its activation, EOC has undertaken the following series of actions:

- Timely issuing early warnings and delivered sector-specific assistance and services to the affected provinces.

- Disseminated guidelines and tips for herders to cope with cold waves or snowstorms through various channels, including social media, in-person visits, and TV broadcasts.

- Conducted coordinated needs assessments in the Dzud-affected locations and identified 40,590 families lack hay and fodder, 5,599 families lack food, 4,604 families lack fuel and coal, and 13,766 families lack basic medical services, and 2032 families’ livestock yard has been covered by heavy snow as of 25 February 2024.

- Initiated the signing of contracts with herder households, outlining their responsibilities after receiving early warnings about natural hazards. The contracts specify the rights and responsibilities of herders, as well as those of soum2 and bagh3 leaders. According to the contract terms, herders are accountable for the well-being of vulnerable family members, avoiding herding during harsh winter conditions and hazardous occurrences, implementing early warnings and recommendations, refraining from sending children to herding, ensuring appropriate winter preparedness, and focusing on livestock well-being, including timely vaccination and disinfection. Herders are encouraged to mobilize resources during the Dzud risk period, such as participating in the meat market to generate cash.

- Implemented preventative measures to mitigate the impact of Dzud, organizing winter food events in 9 locations near the city to support herders' income in December 2023.

- The Ministry of Health and local medical services are on the track of herder communities on Otor4 movement to provide timely medical services, and the medical supply is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Mongolia with their existing resources, and more resources will be required as stated by EOC as of December 2023.

- In response to the increasing Otor movement, the SEC issued an order to establish an "Otor movement operation center" on 28 December 2023, in 8 locations of 6 provinces including permanently in 4 provinces (western and eastern regions) and temporary in 2 provinces (Southern and central regions) to track and manage the movement to provide basic medical services to the vulnerable herders, including pregnant women, elderlies, people with chronic diseases, and lactating mothers, as well as transporting fuel and coal for herders on Otor movement.

- The government of Mongolia allocated 2,211,386,054 MNT (581,944 CHF) to purchase 5.3 million tons of fodder at a 50 per cent lower price (12,000 MNT per bag) than the market price (25,000 MNT per bag) as of January 2024. The fodder is being distributed to the affected locations equally.

- Installed WHAT3WORD application for 236,876 herders to track their locations in 21 provinces as of 21 February 2024.

- The government has provided 26,664-ton hay to 127,514 herder families, 10,526-ton fodder to 128,687 herder families from its 21 provincial reserve as of 24 February 2024.

- The Emergency operation center has provided 19,930-ton hay to 2829 herder families, 13898-ton fodder to 36108 herder families from the state reserve and opened 31,050 block roads (46.2%) as of 24 February 2024.

- Overall, the government allocated 17,9 Billion (CHF4,710,516) MNT from the State reserve and Disaster risk reduction fund to minimize the impact of Dzud.

- The government provided health services to 123,098 affected herders including pregnant women – 8349, children – 30816, elderlies – 23612, people with disabilities – 10730, and people with chronic disease – 11377 including 4449 herder families on Otor movement.

- The government launched National donation campaign on 15 February 2024 and allocated approximately 1 Billion MNT in cash, 562 Million MNT valued goods, and a total of 1.6 Billion donations as of 23 February 2024.

- The government is taking action to postpone the loan repayment for the affected herder community and the discussion is carried out between the Bank of Mongolia and Commercial Banks as of 24 February 2024.

Humanitarian country team

Humanitarian country team5 (HCT) has allocated 2.5M USD out of 6.3M USD by 22 Feb 2024 to assist over 33,400 people and health departments in the affected provinces.

Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) is planning to target 10,000 affected households. As of 27 Feb 2024, MRCS allocated funds to assist 2600 families or 9360 people with the support of IFRC DREF and USAID. MRCS currently in the process of procurement and beneficiary verification process. Dornod branch provided food parcels to 100 families with their own resources.