People in Mongolia are battling against the effects of a severe dzud, which is an extreme winter event with temperatures dropping to −30°C or lower and strong winds, heavy snow and ice. As of 22 February, the dzud has caused the death of more than 2 million livestock, which is 3.1% of the country’s total livestock population. It has led to disruptions to travel, trade and school openings, and has severely impacted access to health services, especially for people living in rural areas.
Dzuds are not uncommon in Mongolia. However, this year’s snowfall has been the highest recorded in 49 years, and 90% of the country is now covered with layers of snow up to a metre thick. In comparison, the dzud of January 2023 affected only 17% of the country.
About 60% of the 330 soums (rural communities) in Mongolia are currently affected. This includes 58 soums in 13 provinces that are facing an “iron” dzud − a short thaw followed by another freeze that locks pastures in ice − and 139 soums in 17 provinces blanketed by “white” dzud − a deep snow cover that prevents animals from grazing.
Impact on health and livelihoods
This severe weather event has devastating effects on people’s health, their livelihoods and the economy.
Populations in rural areas are particularly hard hit. Blocked roads and trails make it difficult and sometimes impossible for primary health care providers − including bagh feldshers (community doctors) of soum health centres − to reach patients. Herder communities are now further isolated, with little or no access to social and health services. The delivery of medicines and medical supplies is also compromised, creating challenges in providing care even to those who can make it to a facility.
The dzud also increases the risk of flash-floods, which are caused by thawing snow following a rise in temperatures. When temperatures rise, the millions of dead livestock currently buried under layers of snow will re-surface. The decomposition and decay can create health risks for affected communities, animal populations and the environment. Animal carcasses can be a source of infectious and zoonotic diseases, putting herders at higher risk of infection from pathogens when removing the carcasses.
Communities in Mongolia rely heavily on livestock for their daily livelihood. The death of livestock therefore has long-term economic implications, which could lead to negative social and psychological impacts on individuals and their families. In response, the Government of Mongolia has called for additional mental health support for the affected communities.
Response efforts
The Mongolian Government has activated its Emergency Operations Centre and designated the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to lead and coordinate the dzud response. A heightened state of readiness is in place until 15 May 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to provide support to the response through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with government agencies, local authorities, and national and international partners. WHO’s priority is to ensure the continuity of health-care services, prevent outbreaks, reduce risks of injury and death, protect vulnerable groups and support the provision of mental health services.
In preparation for this year’s dzud, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific had already shipped Interagency Emergency Health Kits to Mongolia in mid-2023. On February 24, an additional 4 tons of critical supplies and equipment were dispatched from the regional emergency stockpile in Manila. They include Interagency Emergency Health Kits with medicines and supplementary renewable kits and supplies to ensure safe water, sanitation and hygiene that will be distributed to the 21 provinces in Mongolia. Additional supplies are being sourced from the global WHO stockpile in Dubai.
In addition, other life-saving supplies, such as bagh feldshers’ kit bags, liquid fluid infusion warmers and equipment like electric blankets, have been distributed to health centres across the country. To increase immediate access to health services, WHO is also providing health supplies to 3000 herder families that are most severely affected.
As part of its broader support to ensure the delivery of, and access to, health-care services, WHO continues to support the strengthening of primary health-care facilities to ensure people can access essential health services, regardless of where they live.