NYREADERS.COM - The United States is ramping up its humanitarian assistance in Mongolia, with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) pledging an additional $900,000 in support for herders reeling from a brutal winter disaster known as a dzud. This brings the total U.S. commitment this month to over $3 million for the crisis.
The new wave of assistance will provide hay, veterinary supplies, and cash aid to an additional 2,000 households, expanding the reach of U.S. support to 2,700 herder families. The escalating aid effort comes as Mongolia grapples with the severest dzud in over a decade, with record snowfall and harsh temperatures ravaging 20 out of 21 provinces.
"As Mongolia's enduring partner and strategic third neighbor, we are committed to standing with the Mongolian people during this especially challenging winter," said U.S. Ambassador Richard Buangan in a press statement available on USAID's website.
He spoke during a visit to a Mongolian Red Cross Society distribution center.
The government estimates that 52,000 kilometers of roads are impassable due to the weather, creating logistical hurdles for relief efforts. At least two million livestock have perished to date.
The Devastating Impact of Dzud
Dzuds, characterized by extreme cold and heavy snowfall, can be catastrophic for Mongolia's nomadic herders. Livestock, their primary source of livelihood, struggle to find grazing beneath the snow and often succumb to starvation or freezing temperatures. Herder communities face economic ruin and food insecurity in the wake of such disasters.
The Mongolian Red Cross Society, a key partner in the aid distribution, expressed gratitude for the American support. "This contribution from the U.S. Embassy to the Mongolian Red Cross will directly help Mongolian families get through this very difficult time," said Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary-General of the organization.
The U.S. has a long history of bolstering Mongolia's capacity to address natural disasters, investing nearly $8 million in risk reduction programs since 2010. USAID has collaborated closely with the Mongolian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency, and other stakeholders to enhance preparedness. This multifaceted approach aims to mitigate the impact of future dzuds and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities.
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