ReliefWeb

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation for time being. The Mongolian Red Cross Society will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.

Beginning from the end of December 2009, Mongolia saw a sharp and sudden drop of temperature combined with continuous heavy snowfall, recognized locally as dzud. The current situation has caused a loss of hundreds of thousands of livestock, leaving numerous herders without any source of livelihood. As the dzud is a slow-on-set disaster which continues for weeks and months, there are challenges in gathering information and conducting emergency assessments.

The Mongolian Red Cross is responding to the disaster through its extensive network of primary and mid-level branches. The National Society has launched a national appeal to assist the herders who are suffering most due to their nomadic life pattern.