NAN-F-52
Climate
Beijing, Feb. 16, 2017 (dpa/NAN) A severe Mongolian winter with temperatures plummeting to lower than minus 40 degrees Celsius is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of herder families, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said.
According to a report released by IFRC on Thursday, it said that a climate phenomenon known as “dzud” has this season killed more than 42,000 livestock with over 157,000 people affected.
The IFRC said that it has launched an international appeal.
“Dzud” consists of summer drought, which leads to insufficient grass in pastures and low production of hay, followed by a harsh winter.
“This is the second consecutive year Mongolia is experiencing a harsh winter – an unusual frequency caused by climate change,’’ Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary General of the Mongolian Red Cross Society said.
In the past three decades, the “dzuds” happened on average every 3.8 years, whereas before they used to happen once every 10 years, according to the Mongolian Red Cross.
The emergency appeal, launched by the IFRC and the Mongolian Red Cross, aims to raise 654,000 dollars to assist the most vulnerable herder families in Mongolia.
These households own fewer than 200 animals each and include small children, pregnant women, and older or single people.
More than 2,700 families would receive unconditional cash grants of 100 dollars, as well as first-aid kits and psychological assistance for children.
“The number of animals dying increases day by day, this doesn’t only affect food security, but also has a psychological impact,” Gwendolyn Pang, Head of the IFRC office in Beijing said.
According to the report, in 2016, the “dzud” phenomenon killed 1 million livestock by April.
A third of Mongolia’s population of 3 million relies on livestock to live. (dpa/NAN)
OYE/MO
=====Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Morayo Omolade