This winter, Mongolia has been gripped by an unprecedented cold wave crisis known as Dzud. Since November 2023, the country has been blanketed in snow, experiencing fluctuating temperatures characterized by periods of intense cold and freezing, followed by warmer phases and snow melting, only to be followed by refreezing. This cycle has left no grazing options for livestock.

As of March 14, 2024, reports indicate that 4.7 million animals have perished, surpassing the severity of last year's Dzud. The impact extends beyond livestock loss, affecting people's food sources as they rely on their animals for sustenance. These severe weather conditions have exacerbated the humanitarian consequences of the 2023-2024 Dzud crisis, significantly impacting the well-being and livelihoods of herder communities, underscoring the urgent need for substantial humanitarian assistance.

Responding to the crisis, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal to support the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS).

The focus will be on several key areas:

1. Integrated Assistance: The strategy prioritizes rapid assistance to affected herder families, emphasizing multi-purpose cash grants, food vouchers, and essential household items to protect and restore their way of life. This tailored approach aims to address immediate needs, particularly enhancing food security and sustaining livelihoods, including materials for winter sheltering of animals.

2. Health & Care, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): The MRCS will implement strategies to address the mental health needs of affected herder families, utilizing in-person visits and mobile communications to provide support.

3. Protection and Prevention: Efforts will be made to streamline strategies, focusing on reviewing child safeguarding and establishing comprehensive criteria for participation of vulnerable groups, community engagement, and accountability.

The IFRC will provide support to the MRCS in strategic coordination, communications, humanitarian diplomacy, resource mobilization, financial management, logistics and procurement, and technical expertise in defined thematic sectors outlined in the operational strategy.

Reference: IFRC Appeal