An extreme weather phenomenon—blamed on climate change—has killed more than 7.1 million animals in Mongolia this year.
Known as the dzud, the phenomenon is a lethal combination of drought with severe snowy winters and poses a severe threat to communities across the country.
The dzud, which means disaster, occurs when temperature changes cause thaw-and-refreeze cycles that create ice barriers over feeding grounds and results in livestock starving.
This year’s dzud is the worst in almost half a century.
A dzud is expected once a decade but this year’s dzud was the sixth in the last decade. At its peak this year, 90% of Mongolia was covered with a thick layer of snow.
Many livestock deaths occur among malnourished female animals and their young during the spring.
2.1 million cattle, sheep and goats had died by February, rising to 7.1 million in May, according to state media.
The total death toll may increase to 14.9 million animals, said Deputy Prime Minister S. Amarsaikhan, according to state media.
Experts speaking to Newsweek attributed the increasing severity of dzuds in Mongolia to climate change.
“Dzuds are becoming more common and severe due to the interplay of climate change and environmental degradation,” said Olga Dzhumaeva, the head of the East Asia delegation at the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC). “The phenomenon, unique to Mongolia, involves harsh winter conditions exacerbated by summer droughts. This combination creates a vicious cycle where insufficient grazing pastures in the summer lead to undernourished livestock, which are then unable to withstand the severe winter conditions.
“Climate change has significantly disrupted Mongolia’s seasonal cycle, leading to more frequent and intense summer droughts followed by extreme winters.”
Mongolia’s economy is heavily dependent on herding, which contributes 80% of its agricultural production and 11% of GDP.
As well as affecting the animal population, many people in the country are struggling to survive because of the dzud too. The Khurelbaatar family told the IFRC how their herd was reduced from over 400 animals to less than 100 during the winter.
“Starved and exhausted pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable,” said Khurelbaatar B, a herder.
The family of five struggled to afford food and basic items after the loss of their livestock. Their well was also blocked by snow meaning the family had to melt snow to provide water for themselves and their remaining livestock.
The Mongolian Red Cross Society has been providing cash assistance to herders affected by dzud, such as the Khurelbaatar family, with funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
The Mongolian Red Cross team also provided the Khurelbaatar family with a tarpaulin to serve as a roof for the animals to shelter.
There have been challenges raising funds from an international aid budget stretched by the crises in Gaza and Ukraine. The IFRC aimed to raise $6 million to support those affected by the Dzud in Mongolia, however it has not reached even 20% of its target.
The World Health Organization has been active in the country, and shipped 4 tons of medicines and medical supplies to 21 affected provinces, with addition supplies being sourced.
The crisis is far from over as winter ends: warmer temperatures can trigger forest fires or dust storms, while runoff from melting snow can cause flash floods.
Pregnant animals are at risk of losing their offspring after being weakened over the winter, said Matilda Dimovska, the United Nations Development Programme’s resident representative in Mongolia.
“It’s really devastating to see, how (the baby animals) cry for food,” she said.
Uncommon Knowledge
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