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Mongolia

Mongolia: Cold Wave 2023 (Snow and dust storm), Operation Update DREF Operation MDRMN018

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What happened, where and when?

A devastating snowstorm swept across eastern parts of Mongolia including Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Khentii provinces, and certain provinces in Gobi areas, starting from around 06:00 AM on 19 May 2023 throughout the day and night until around 13:00 PM on 20 May. According to the National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring, the average wind speed was 18-20 m/s and it reached 28-30 m/s at some point.

According to the provincial emergency commissions as well as collected information from MRCS Branches in Sukhbaatar, Khentii, and Dornod Provinces, the snow caused the following impacts:

  • Due to the storm, 124 people (mostly from the herder community) were reported missing as they were following their livestock, which wandered off because of the storm. A total of 122 people have been found, but tragically 2 people in Sukhbaatar and Khentii provinces were found dead.

  • There have been severe infrastructural damages, including the collapse of 22 electricity sub-stations, which caused power outages in several counties (19-22 May); it was later restored as of 24 May. Moreover, 149 households have faced the complete loss of gers (yurt, traditional Mongolia circular, domed tent-like dwelling), 288 gers with partial damages, partial damage to 283 constructed houses/buildings, complete and partial damage to 317 fences, and partial damage to 70 vehicles of herders and non-herders. The official figure for the total number of people affected by the storm is not final, but the known number of affected people is roughly 5,100. The impact is mostly on shelters, livelihoods, and health. The most affected provinces are Sukhbaatar, Khentii, and Dornod provinces.

  • As of 25 May 2023, the known livestock loss caused by the storm is significant (623,623 including 521,477 in Sukhbaatar, 107,695 in Khentii, and 1,451 in Dornod provinces). The number is expected to increase as local authorities are registering the loss of livestock on the ground.

In response to the needs identified, MRCS requested for an Imminent DREF to support people affected by the snow and sandstorm. Through the DREF, MRCS allocated cash assistance to 3,440 people from 1,000 households to address their immediate living needs. In addition, MRCS has also provided gers to 347 people from 99 households whose gers were completely destroyed in the disaster. Pychosocial support visits were paid by MRCS trained volunteers to 492 people from 109 households.

Scope and Scale

Based on the assessment conducted by MRCS BDRT teams in Sukhbaatar, Dornod, and Khentii provinces, house- holds that lost their homes or traditional gers have encountered the most significant consequences, leading to urgent shelter requirements. Those who lost their gers have sought refuge with relatives, local schools, or government structures. Herders who suffered losses of livestock are grappling with considerable emotional distress. Families whose accommodations were impaired are in pressing need of immediate repairs, primarily due to storm damage to their roofs, which has left them susceptible to further adverse weather conditions.

The anticipated strong winds during the week of 22 May 2023 did not result in additional harm. the Mongolian government distributed the following items to affected people by the storm:

  • 50 gers to people lost their homes (25 gers to Sukhbaatar and 25 gers to Khentii).
  • food packages from the state reserve (Khentii - 100 pieces, Sukhbaatar - 100 pieces, Dornod 50 pieces).
  • 20tn fuels per local emergency government organization (province level) to reach out to the affected people.
  • 150 pieces of protective clothes in Sukhbaatar and Khentii provinces which accelerated the recovery process.

The well-being of herding communities, which heavily rely on pastoral practices in Mongolia, is directly affected by various meteorological events such as snow, storms, heat, and precipitation. These occurrences, often prevalent from March to June due to seasonal atmospheric and temperature shifts, can impact herders and non-herders alike. Typically, individuals are informed about impending storms and receive forecasts to enable preparedness measures, including safeguarding livestock and fortifying gers. The extent of damage from the recent storm underscores its extraordinary intensity.

The snow and dust storm had enduring consequences, including prolonged disruptions in livelihoods for herder communities, economic strain due to livestock and property losses, lasting psychological impact from trauma and stress, ongoing housing instability, health risks stemming from dust exposure and inadequate shelter, environ- mental damage, potential shifts in community resilience and migration patterns, challenges to infrastructure and services.