UNICEF Mongolia Humanitarian Situation Report No. 2 (Dzud): 21 February 2024 - Mongolia - ReliefWeb

UNICEF Mongolia Humanitarian Situation Report No. 2 (Dzud): 21 February 2024 - Mongolia | ReliefWeb

Highlights

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The severe winter situation, Dzud, has continued to worsen across nation since the last situation report. Over 150,500 people, including 62,500 children (31,500 girls and 31,000 boys) are grappling with an exceptionally harsh winter characterized by icy conditions that completely obstruct livestock access to pastures and cause disruption to education, health, and social services.
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As of 20th February 2024, over 90% of the country has been affected by extreme Dzud conditions, with 160 soums across 20 provinces being identified as high-risk areas.
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To ensure a timely response to the severely affected areas, UNICEF Mongolia has allocated USD 173,000 in funding and USD 35,000 in pre-positioned supplies, providing immediate assistance to over 9,000 children. To address the most critical and time-sensitive needs caused by the escalating weather conditions, USD 600,000 out of the total USD 2,456,000 planned response is urgently required.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Mongolia is increasingly grappling with the impacts of climate change, manifested in discernible shifts in weather patterns that underscore the escalation of this global phenomenon. Though the summer of 2023 was initially favorable with abundant rainfall, the months that followed saw the abrupt onset of a severe temperature drop, substantial snowfall in early November, and an unusually rapid temperature rise causing a snow thaw. Subsequently, an extended period of extreme cold, dipping below -40°C, persisted through the second half of December 2023. These combined factors have made winter 2023-2024 particularly challenging for the country.1 As a result, rural communities in the country are now grappling with an exceptionally harsh winter characterized by icy conditions that completely obstruct livestock access to pasture. The heavy snowfall has also closed roads and passes, hindering access to essential services such as health and education and disrupting supply chains for food, medicine, consumer goods, firewood, coal, hay, and animal feed. According to the national Emergency Operations Center (EOC), there are 13,573 households currently residing in snow blocked areas, as of 18 February 2024.

Between November 2023 to February 2024, severe blizzards and harsh weather conditions affected over 90% of the country. Over 150,500 people, including 62,500 children (31,500 girls and 31,000 boys) are affected by the extreme weather conditions. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) search and rescue teams have responded to more than 89 alert calls for missing people, rescuing over 1,430 people trapped by heavy snow. According to EOC, 9 casualties due to snowstorms, including 1 child, have been reported.

The number of livestock perished reached 667,841 as of 19 February 2024, which is significantly higher compared to past years’ data. However, the peak of livestock mortality is yet to come and expected to occur from late February to April 2024. The Government is supporting the commercial destocking of livestock to reduce the negative impact of the losses for herders.

According to the initial needs assessment conducted by UNICEF, support for accessibility to education and health services, material and capacity building support for local health centers, emergency responders and child protection rapid response teams have been identified as priorities by local authorities. Mental health and wellbeing support, nutrition and hygiene support have been identified as needed by children and parents interviewed.

The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) is activated and working to collectively respond. The Dzud Early Action and Response Plan for 2023/2024 has been published on 19th of February 2024, to complement the Government of Mongolia's Dzud Anticipatory Action and Response Plan.

Immediate needs for mid-February to April 2024 include funding for road clearing, support for child protection workers, provision of health and hygiene kits, and distribution of learning tools for school children.