Save the Children implements a re-stocking project in Sukhbaatar Province in Mongolia
Following a drought in most parts of Mongolia in summer 2023, herders have had little opportunity to provide enough grazing and prepare fodder for animals. With 80% of Mongolia having grappled with the harsh effects of Dzud, a devastating winter phenomenon that has resulted in the death of 7.41 million livestock nationwide. To help herders suffering great losses, Save the Children stepped in to deliver critical aid in Uvs, Zavkhan, Uvurkhangai, Gobi-Altai, and Sukhbaatar provinces in March 2024, providing essential support of animal fodder and cash assistance.
Last winter, Sukhbaatar Province saw 44.8 percent of their total livestock die, or more than 1.7 million. Over 2,500 herding families in this province have lost more than 70 percent of their livestock. Hundreds of herders are at increased risk of unemployment and poverty due to loss of their source of livelihood. Therefore, Save the Children implemented a re-stocking project in Sukhbaatar soum (an administrative unit similar to a village) of Sukhbaatar province within the framework of the project “Humanitarian assistance project for herders affected by Dzud in Sukhbaatar and Uvs provinces”, and on June 10, 2024, 19 heads of sheep were donated to each of 30 herder families.
On this occasion, the Governor of Sukhbaatar Soum of Sukhbaatar Province, B.Batkhurel, said, “Last winter, Sukhbaatar Soum witnessed a deadly disaster that had not happened in the last 100 years. We consider it as force majeure which went beyond the Dzud. At the end of 2023, more than 470,000 livestock were counted in our area. Unfortunately, more than 60 percent, or more than 300,000 heads of them perished, and more than 150 herder families left with zero livestock. On behalf of the people of Sukhbaatar I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Save the Children”.
Yo.Nyamdavaa, a project manager of the Save the Children in Mongolia, said in his speech, “Last March, as part of the humanitarian response project, Save the Children provided cash assistance of MNT 500,000 (USD 150) to 180 herding families in Khalzan, Tuvshinshiree, and Uulbayan soums. Also, we assisted the local government with financial support of MNT 17.00 million for emergency response vehicle fuel and heavy-duty trucks tires worth 5 million MNT to in responding to the disaster in the province. In addition, we conducted a training on “Psychological First Aid for Children” for the teachers and staff of all school dormitories in the province. The training equipped teachers and dormitory staff with the knowledge and skills to support children’s emotional well-being during disasters and emergencies. This time, 580 Barga sheep and lambs were purchased from the neighboring Khulunbuir soum of Dornod province and were donated to the affected herder families in Sukhbaatar soum. Using this opportunity, I would like to express our gratitude to R.Badamragchaa, a herder from Khulunbuir soum who donated 15 sheep and 5 goats, and to herder Ts.Namchin, who donated 5 sheep”.
G.Ankhbold, a herder from Sukhbaatar soum, who received livestock, said, “We have 4 children aged 1-16. Last winter, our family lost more than half of our livestock, and left with less than 100 animals. Our income was significantly decreased. This project helps us to recover from the loss a lot. Thank you very much”.
We appreciate that “Dornod Meat Market” LLC transported the animals from Khulunbuir soum of Dornod province to Sukhbaatar soum of Sukhbaatar province quickly and efficiently. B.Bolorbaatar, director of international relations and procurement of this company, said, “Our company has performed this transportation at the cheapest price within the framework of our social responsibility. Our goal is to support herders and enhance our cooperation”.
The criteria of selecting herder families to benefit from the re-stocking project included: herders with loss of 70-100% of their livestock due to Dzud, having not received any aid from other organizations, having two or more children under the age of 18, having a disabled member in the family, young households, elderly persons, and single-headed families with children. The re-stocking project benefits a total of 86 adults and 78 children from 30 families and helps them to recover from the disaster and re-build their lives using the livestock provided.
On behalf of the herders and local communities, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the Rettet das Kind and Save the Children Switzerland’s Children’s Emergency Fund for financing this critical project.
Save the Children Switzerland’s Children’s Emergency Fund knows from decades of experience that the first vital hours are critical in any humanitarian response, and that children need help as soon as possible. That’s why Save the Children Switzerland has created its Children’s Emergency Fund, so that they can respond quickly and help children survive emergencies.