Natural Disaster in Mongolia

One of our teachers and co-workers are organizing relief efforts aimed especially at the Western states which have been hit the hardest (one of which we will be moving to this summer). The campaign is designated for helping rural dwellers who are experiencing what amounts to a natural disaster for many due to these harsh winter conditions. In many areas it is full blown "zud". (A zud ( Зуд) is a term for an extremely snowy winter in which livestock are unable to find fodder through the snow cover, and large numbers of animals die due to starvation and the cold.) Over 2 million livestock have perished. Please join us in prayer for many who are suffering. Read the campaign below for more details.

RURAL MONGOLIA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAMPAIGN

Drought conditions this year throughout 80-90% of Mongolia’s territory have hindered and prevented the growth of vegetation, including vegetable crops and livestock forage. Heavy snowfall has occurred this winter accompanied by extreme cold temperatures, producing the disaster level conditions known in Mongolia as "zud". Severe weather events including blizzards and extreme cold have occurred frequently. As a result more than 2 million livestock have perished and are dying from the harsh weather conditions. Sums in the western Aimags of Hovd, Uvs, Bayan-Ulgii, and Zavhan have experienced especially difficult conditions. Many rural livestock owners have lost large numbers of animals to "zud" conditions. According to the daily news reports, the magnitude of losses continues to increase.

Many government agencies, the Mongolian health agency, other national organizations, large corporations, and individuals willing to assist have donated material items such as livestock feed, clothing, medicines and health products, foods such as flour and rice etc., and other needed items to rural populations to help them in this time of crisis. However, despite efforts to provide these material resources, rural dwellers continue to experience extreme financial hardships. As well as material aid items, there remains the need for additional monetary aid.

The shortage of financial resources has led many rural dwellers to resort to acquiring bank loans. These loans have been acquired to provide for three main needs requiring financial expenditures:

1. To provide for and prepare such necessities as well water, livestock feed, building material, and repair and replacement of needed equipment and dwellings.

2. To provide for the cost of food, clothing, lodging, transportation, and tuition for children studying away from home at boarding schools and universities.

3. To provide for the costs of items needed for rural and nomadic living conditions such as automobiles, motorcycles, generators and other electronic devices and equipment. In order to provide for these things many have acquired loans between 1,000,000 and 10,000,000 togrog ($700-$7,000).

Example of current conditions:

In Hovd aimag, Zereg Sum, there are around 800 families. Of these 800 families, 620 (78%) depend on livestock for their livelihood. Of these 620 families, 510 (82%) have acquired bank loans. Some have experienced the loss of all of their livestock. Others have experienced a tremendous loss of monetary value in their livestock due to the decline in health and market value of surviving animals. Since November, 126 debt-holding households have been unable to pay back their loans and accumulated interest, resulting in 46 million togrog ($32,000) in outstanding loan debt that remains unpaid. Families with unpaid debts are now under great stress due to their difficult financial situation. This example from one Aimag is representative of conditions in other Aimags as well.

Due to these prevailing conditions and the difficult situation faced by many rural Mongolians, we the organizers of this assistance campaign are taking the initiative to call upon, invite, and urge Mongolian residents of Ulaanbaatar, Darhan, and Erdenet, as well as foreign citizens and foreign organizations residing in Mongolia, to consider voluntarily providing assistance through financial contributions. These financial contributions will be directed to the rural families in need to help them through this time of great hardship.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help! No charitable donation you can give towards this is regarded as insignificant or too small. May God bless all people, and especially those in tremendous need at this time!