Saving Lives in a Blizzard: How a Donated Ambulance Made the Difference

Across Mongolia’s vast steppes, herder families journey great distances between seasonal camps, often vulnerable to sudden, harsh weather. In November 2023, only two days after Save the Children Mongolia together with the US-based Denan Project donated a new ambulance to the Chandmani soum (a small remote village) Health Center, the vehicle was already put to the test. It became a lifeline for herders caught in danger, proving its value from the very start.

A Family Lost in the Snow

On November 3, herder M.Enkhzaya and his wife U.Davaakhuu were moving their livestock from their autumn camp to their winter quarters, a journey of 40 kilometers through open steppe. That morning the sky was clear but by afternoon, a fierce snowstorm struck. Visibility dropped to zero, and after wandering for hours, the couple became lost. Exhausted and soaked by wet snow, they sheltered in a ravine and called for help. By 8:40 p.m., the newly donated ambulance, carrying a doctor, driver, and two experienced local herders, was dispatched. Guided by the ambulance’s flashing beacon and the herder’s cigarette lighter, the search team located the couple within 40 minutes. Enkhzaya had already suffered frostbite on four fingers, but their lives were saved.

“If another 10–20 minutes had passed, we might not have survived.”

Herder U.Davaakhuu says “Our clothes were soaked, and we started to feel numb from the cold. My husband’s clothing was too thin, and he was freezing quickly. Fortunately, the ambulance’s lights could be seen even in the blizzard. If another 10–20 minutes had passed, we might not have survived. We are deeply grateful that this emergency vehicle was there for us. It saved our lives and gave our children their parents back.”

Bayan Altai Luvsandorj, Country Manager of Save the Children Mongolia, noted that every kilometer traveled by this ambulance is a testament to the partnership between Save the Children Mongolia and the Denan Project and to the lives saved because of it. He emphasized that this rescue is only one of many examples where doctors and health professionals in Chandmani have been able to save lives in challenging conditions thanks to the ambulance. ‘I hope it will continue to save many more lives in the years to come,’ he added.

A Lifeline for Remote Communities

The ambulance, a fully equipped UAZ Furgon model, was officially handed over on November 1, 2023. In less than two years, it has traveled over 33,000 km and responded to 455 emergency calls across the soum, reaching children, pregnant women, accident victims, and critically ill adults in remote areas.

• Emergency responses supported by the new ambulance:
• 2023: 31 calls (9 long-distance) – including children, pregnant women, and accident cases.
• 2024: 262 calls (82 long-distance) – 19 pediatric, 14 injuries, 2 pregnancy-related, and 42 adult illnesses.
• 2025 (to September): 162 calls (52 long-distance) – 20 children, 3 pregnancy-related, 11 accidents/injuries, and 22 adult illnesses.

Gratitude to the Denan Project

This story is just one of many that demonstrate how vital accessible medical transport is for Mongolia’s remote communities. Thanks to the generous support of the Denan Project, families in Chandmani soum now have a lifeline in times of crisis.