Mongolia: Dzud Emergency Response Preparedness (as of 4 February 2016)

BACKGROUND

Dzud is a cyclical slow onset disaster unique to Mongolia. It consists of a summer drought, resulting in insufficient production of hay, followed by a very heavy winter snow (10 to 350 cm), winds and lower than normal temperatures (-40° C to -50° C). During this time an excessive number of livestock die causing basic services, and in the longer term, livelihoods to collapse in vulnerable herder communities.

The combined impacts of the 2015 summer drought and a likely cold and snowy winter, on the backdrop of the nomadic extensive husbandry which characterizes Mongolia, could create a severe livelihood crisis.

To ensure early action is taken as soon as possible, the HCT agreed to:

• identify a suitable time-bound country- and risk-specific coordination arrangement for a time-bound dzud intervention;

• outline a basic humanitarian response plan to augment the Government’s response