Mongolia is struggling to face a natural disaster known as “dzud” where frigid temperatures and heavy snow cause widespread livestock deaths, threatening herder livelihoods.
Mongolians are struggling with economic crises which has seen the currency called the tugrik depreciate rapidly.
This has made household goods more expensive.
The dzud of 2009-2010 is one of the most severe in history.
It saw the death of 9.7 million livestock; 1.1 million heads of livestock died in 2015on an average.
Amid the worst economic conditions since the global economic crisis, the capital Ulaanbaatar is working with international organisations to get assistance to herders.
The government has stockpiled hay and fodder for distribution, but resources are stretched thin as it negotiates with the International Monetary Fund to refinance debt.
Dzuds have become more frequent as a result of climate change, environmental groups have said, putting Ulaanbaatar under increasing strain in recent years.
According to official data on Friday, the air quality index in the northern Ulaanbaatar district of Bayankhoshuu reached a hazardous 1,854, with concentrations of breathable airborne particles known as PM2.5 at 927 micrograms per cubic metre.
The safe recommended level of PM2.5 is 10 micrograms, according to the WHO.
Mongolia - Know More- Bordered by: China, Russia
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar
- Currency: Tugruk
- Population: 2.839 million (2013 World Bank)
- Official Language: Mongolian.
