Country: Mongolia Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Ulaanbaatar/Beijing/Kuala Lumpur, 14 July 2025 — One year after Mongolia’s harshest winter in nearly half a century, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) mark the end of a major humanitarian operation supported by an IFRC international emergency appeal.The operation has not only delivered critical life-sustaining assistance to over 25,000 people across 21 provinces but also supported the community to build long-term resilience to growing climate-related challenges.The winter that began in late 2023 saw a devastating Dzud - a severe, slow-onset cold winter condition where heavy snow and ice cover the ground, preventing animals from accessing pasture, causing widespread animal deaths.By June 2024, more than 8 million livestock had perished, some 12.5 per cent of livestock in the country according to official figures, threatening not only herders’ food source but also the main source of income for thousands of families.When heavy snows and extreme cold hit herding communities, livestock health can suffer dramatically. Many animals die due to extreme cold and lack of proper nutrition.Photo: IFRCLife-saving support in the depth of winterUransaikhan, 68, and her 70-year-old husband in Sukhbaatar province have endured Mongolia’s harsh winters since the 1990s, yet last year’s Dzud tested them like never before. She recalled the daily anxiety and desperation of checking on her animals every morning.“Our animals were starving--I fed them boiled tea because we had nothing else”. At one point, snow sealed their ger - traditional Mongolian house- shut, and her husband had to lift her through the roof so she could dig them out. By spring, they had lost over two-thirds of their livestock.From the earliest signs of crisis in December 2023, the Mongolia Red Cross Society (MRCS) mobilized over 900 trained volunteers to reach over 5,000 herder households across 21 provinces.Through the CHF2.7 million Emergency Appeal which the IFRC launched together with MRCS, animal care kits enabled herders to protect their remaining livestock, and with multipurpose cash, they bought food, fuel and animal hay and fodder.As the disaster posed a profound psychosocial toll on the affected herders, the operation also delivered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), reaching 11,350 people and enabled 12 permanent MHPSS counseling stations along with essential training for MRCS staff and volunteers.Surveys showed that the majority of households were satisfied with the overall assistance. “The cash and items were so helpful. You couldn’t imagine how grateful I am,” Uransaikhan said. Under the cash programme and with the animal care kits, herder families including Uransaikhan were able to buy fuel and food to survive the worst weeks and protect their remaining animals.In addition, IFRC mobilised 7 IFRC surge experts to provide technical support to the MRCS in ensuring the high-quality delivery of the planned interventions and going deep into the hardest-hit fields to help strengthen the MRCS capacity to respond to the disaster.With support from IFRC, Mongolian Red Cross helps herding families build new animal shelters to protect livestock from extreme cold.Photo: IFRCFrom recovery to long-term adaptation: Building a climate-resilient future“Dzud is a disaster that touches every part of a herder’s life,” said Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary General of the MRCS.“We witnessed Dzud happen more frequently from one time in ten years to every two to three years. Our goal was to provide emergency aid to help herders survive this disaster, regain livelihood and strengthen long-term resilience and adaptation.”As the weather transitioned, this operation continued with a focus toward recovery and building herder families’ resilience. By spring 2025, 30 animal winter shelters along with sanitation facilities were built, supporting 126 herders to better protect their livestock. Through income diversification and small business grants, the IFRC and MRCS helped herders generate different streams of income.While the operation has concluded, the commitment to long-term recovery and climate preparedness remains strong. The 2023-2024 Dzud underscored the severe challenges climate change poses.Looking ahead, the MRCS, with the IFRC support, is working on a Climate Resilience Strategic Framework 2025–2032 to proactively reduce climate risks and strengthen community-led adaptation and response capacity.“Even in the harshest landscapes, we saw immense generosity, strength, and spirit of mutual support, even when people endured so much loss,” said Olga Dzhumaeva, Head of the IFRC East Asia Delegation. “Our focus will be on long-term climate adaptation through early warning systems, diversified and resilient livelihoods, and innovative climate-smart solutions. Working with the MRCS, we will continue to strengthen community resilience and secure a sustainable future.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]In Beijing:Kexuan Tong, +86 13147812269In Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva:Scott Craig: +41 76 370 3575