Mongolia's Severe Winter Claims Nearly 5 Million Animal Lives, Red Cross Reports

Mongolia is currently experiencing its most severe winter in fifty years, causing devastating effects on both animals and people. The International Federation of the Red Cross has raised concerns over the situation, as more than 4.7 million animals have perished and the livelihoods and food supply of thousands are at risk.

The harsh conditions, known as dzud, are marked by extremely cold temperatures and heavy snow and ice covering grazing areas. This has resulted in a lack of access to food for livestock, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the people in Mongolia.

About 300,000 people in Mongolia rely on their cattle, goats, and horses for both food and income as traditional nomadic herders.

According to Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, these individuals who depend entirely on their livestock have fallen into poverty within a short span of a few months. Some are now struggling to feed themselves or even keep their homes warm.

Since November, over 2,250 herder families have lost more than 70% of their livestock, as reported by the IFRC. Additionally, more than 7,000 families are currently facing food shortages due to the dzud.

The dzud has impacted three-quarters of the country, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further as winter progresses.

A sheep stands in a field amid extremely cold weather in Bayanmunkh, in Mongolia's Khentii Province on February 22, 2024.

A sheep stands in a field amid extremely cold weather in Bayanmunkh, in Mongolia's Khentii Province on February 22, 2024.

Byambasuren Byamba-Ochir/AFP/Getty Images

“Now it’s spring, but the winter is dragging on in Mongolia, there’s still snow on the ground, and the livestock are still dying,” said Matheou.

The Mongolian government announced a state of heightened readiness until May 15 last month. Recently, the IFRC made an appeal for funds to help those who have lost their livelihoods.

Matheou mentioned that despite the high level of preparedness in Mongolia this year and in the past, it is still not enough to handle the extreme conditions. The scale of the situation has caught them off guard, even though they have done a lot of preparation.

This year's dzud has been particularly severe, causing significant economic hardships for herders and creating challenges for many Mongolians, especially those in rural areas. The heavy snow has blocked roads, making travel difficult and disrupting trade. Additionally, access to healthcare and education has been affected due to the harsh conditions.

Herder families frequently relocate based on the seasons, journeying through the expansive grasslands of the country in search of fresh pastures for their livestock.

During the summer, they focus on cultivating fodder, grass, and crops to ensure their animals have enough food to last through the winter.

Mongolians are no strangers to harsh winters, but a dzud, which means "disaster," occurs when dry summers are succeeded by heavy snowfall and very low temperatures.

During a dzud, the mercury can plummet to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit) or even lower.

This year, the World Health Organization reported that the country experienced the highest snowfall in 49 years, with 90% of the country covered at its peak in January.

According to the UN, last year's summer began with plentiful rainfall. However, a drastic temperature drop and early snowfall in November were followed by a sudden temperature increase, causing the snow to thaw. This was then succeeded by a prolonged cold spell, with temperatures dropping below -40C in some regions.

The pasture was not good, so the animals couldn't get fat before winter, and the herders couldn't make enough hay to feed them.

Currently, Mongolia is facing a double disaster known as a "white" and "iron" dzud. This means that deep snow is blocking the animals from accessing grass, and the freezing temperatures are turning pastures into ice.

A traditional yurt tent in Bayanmunkh, in Mongolia's Khentii Province on February 22, 2024.

A traditional yurt tent in Bayanmunkh, in Mongolia's Khentii Province on February 22, 2024.

Byambasuren Byamba-Ochir/AFP/Getty Images

Dzuds are becoming more frequent in Mongolia so the pasture and herders don’t have time to recover in between bouts of extreme weather.

"These dzuds are occurring more frequently in a cyclical pattern. In the last 10 years, there have been six of them, making this the worst one so far. They used to be rare occurrences, but now they are happening more often," stated Matheou from the IFRC.

Mongolia is among the countries hit hardest by the climate crisis. The average air temperatures in the country have risen by 2.1 degrees Celsius over the past 70 years, as reported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

UN agencies report that human-caused climate change has affected the country's four seasons, causing more summer droughts and harsh winters.

According to the IFRC, this year's crisis is predicted to have a greater impact than the dzud in Mongolia in 2010, which led to the deaths of 10.3 million livestock.

Olga Dzhumaeva, head of the IFRC East Asia Delegation, stated that many herder households are facing numerous struggles. These include the loss of precious livestock, financial difficulties, limited resources, and significant pressures on mental and physical health.

Despite the challenges, Dzhumaeva acknowledged the unwavering hope and resilience of many families as they bravely endure the harsh winter conditions. The ongoing livestock deaths, decreasing resources, and worsening situation of hundreds of thousands of people in Mongolia serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for assistance.

Editor's P/S:

The unfolding humanitarian crisis in Mongolia, brought on by the severe winter conditions, is deeply concerning. The loss of millions of animals and the devastating impact on the livelihoods of herder families are heartbreaking. The images of sheep and goats struggling to survive in the frigid temperatures are a stark reminder of the vulnerability of both animals and humans to extreme weather events.

The frequency and severity of dzuds in Mongolia are a testament to the urgency of addressing climate change. The rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are exacerbating the challenges faced by herder communities, who have relied on traditional nomadic practices for centuries. The Mongolian government and international organizations must work together to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the current dzud and to develop long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather events. Mongolian herders and their families endure these difficult times and rebuild their lives. Additionally, investing in climate adaptation measures and supporting sustainable practices will be crucial in mitigating the impact of future dzuds and ensuring the resilience of Mongolia's nomadic communities.