Recently, an extreme weather event—attributed to climate change—has tragically resulted in the deaths of over 7.1 million animals in Mongolia this year.
This phenomenon, known as dzud, is caused by a deadly mix of severe drought and heavy snow, leading to an immediate threat to communities.
The worst dzud in almost five years has hit Mongolia, leaving a devastating impact on livestock survival.
Each decade typically sees a dzud event, but this year marks the sixth dzud in the past decade, reaching its highest intensity so far with 90% of Mongolia blanketed in snow.
During spring, malnutrition proves fatal for many livestock, especially mothers and their offspring.
In February alone, the USDA reported 2.1 million cattle, sheep, and goats perishing. By May, this number had tragically risen to 7.1 million based on state media.
Experts fear the total toll could reach almost 15 million animals, significantly impacting the nation’s herding-dependent economy.
The combination of brutal winters compounded by summer droughts creates a vicious cycle, leaving pastures insufficient and livestock undernourished, unable to survive the harsh winters.
Mongolia relies heavily on its herding sector, which accounts for 80% of its agricultural production.
Aside from animal loss, families such as the Khurelbaatars are also suffering, with their herd plummeting from 400 to under 100 animals during winter.
Nonetheless, initiatives like cash aid from the Mongolian Red Cross Society, supported by USAID, provide critical support to affected herders.
The International Federation of Red Cross aimed to raise $6 million for dzud relief efforts but fell short, highlighting the strain on international aid budgets.
Winter’s end poses new challenges like dust storms and forest fires due to rising temperatures and potential flash floods from snowmelt runoff.
Pregnant animals remain at high risk post-winter, with Matilda Dimovska of the UN Development Programme in Mongolia expressing heartbreak at hearing hungry animal babies cry.