The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is developing an unusual cash-for-work program in Mongolia to remove the remains of millions of livestock that are scattered around the country, reduce health risks for the population while providing income for herders whose livelihoods have disappeared due to extreme weather conditions unique to this country, UN officials said here Thursday.

A persistent snowfall blanketed the entire Asian country, with 60 percent covered by 20-40 centimeters. Grazing areas are out of reach for most of Mongolia's livestock and many are malnourished, said the officials.

More than 2.7 million livestock have perished nationwide from the cold, and their carcasses remain in the fields. Once melting of the snow starts, this poses threats to the spread of diseases, infections and soil pollution.

Under this program, herders will receive income to clean and bury the carcasses. The aim will be to reach 60,000 herders, with special emphasis on those with fewer than 200 animals who have been particularly adversely affected. Already one-third of the population lives below the poverty line in Mongolia, a figure that is expected to rise due to the massive livestock loss, the officials said.

While Mongolians are used to frigid winter conditions, this year is particularly harsh because of a phenomenon called Dzud, which occurs when severely cold winters of below 50 degrees Celsius are preceded by dry summers that preclude sufficient grazing. Fodder supplies have run out, resulting in the loss of the millions of livestock in a country where one-third of the population rely on herding and agriculture. The livestock affected include goats, sheep, horses, camels and cows and yaks.

The Mongolian government has estimated that by the end of the cold season in June another three million livestock will die. For burial of more than five million animals, the government requested US$4 million for clearing the carcasses. UNDP has already allocated 300,000 dollars and is working on raising further resources for this, as well as to support Mongolia's early recovery and rehabilitation activities in the country.

The National plan to remove all carcasses, will need US$4 million and is part of a larger UN coordinated response with other relevant UN agencies, such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) , the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization ( WHO), the International Labor Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

"While immediate needs of food, shelter, heating and health care must be met, this approach would prevent the spread of diseases and also help herders to feed their families during the Dzud," said Akbar Usmani, the UNDP resident representative in Mongolia. "Livestock is the cornerstone of existence for so many Mongolians and many people have lost all their direct income and food source."

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was created as a regulatory body for disaster coordination in Mongolia at the recommendation of the United Nations, following another devastating Dzud in 2001. A UN Disaster Assessment that was conducted in 2001 resulted in the loss of nine people in a tragic helicopter crash. Since then, UNDP has provided disaster risk reduction support to NEMA.

"Once again, UNDP is taking the lead in addressing our needs in the midst of a crisis," said Namsrai, the deputy chief of NEMA. As part of its support to NEMA, UNDP will provide technical assistance in the methods for proper burial of the carcasses. At the same time, it will offer cash-for-work for the herders who lost their livestock. Local level Partnership Councils will be activated to organize the work in their locations.

Besides the immediate assistance to the first response, UNDP is supporting NEMA to develop an early recovery plan for the country. The initiative will focus on restoring livelihoods, which is the sector that is worst affected by the Dzud.

Due to climate change and expanding mining activities, pastoral areas have been steadily shrinking in Mongolia, while private livestock has been on the rise. This combination is placing increasing pressure on scarce pastoral lands, said the officials. Few herders have alternative skills or access to training for new skills.

The Early Recovery plan will be built on the long term solutions to improve pasture management, provide alternative livelihoods to the herders, and strengthen disaster preparedness in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2010)