Following the National Emergency Commission’s (NEC) recent review of the winter situation in the country, including heating, energy and coal reserves, M. Enkhbold, Deputy Prime Minister and head of the NEC, has issued several instructions to connected officials.

The NEC has also suggested to the Government to sell fodder in the state reserve at a 50 percent discount. USD3 million has been received from France and other countries to build this fodder stock. World Vision is likely to bear the delivery costs of reaching grass and fodder to rural areas.

The NEC will also grant MNT400 million to Arkhangai, Bulgan, Khuvsgul and Khentii to assist in the implementation of projects under international aegis to develop agriculture. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Light industry has asked province administrations to send meat in exchange for 30 tons of non-standard low-quality wheat. In addition, Enkhbold wants meat with herders to be exported to China and Russia in exchange for coal to be used by the heating plants.

The General Emergency Authority says the winter is severe in 198 soums of 19 provinces. There is deep snow on the steppes and on the mountainside. Main roads remain closed in Altai, Uench, Bulgan soums of Khovd province, some soums of Gobi-Altai provinces, Gants, Zagastai, Solongot soums of Zavkhan and Gurvanbileg, Bayanbulag of Bayankhongor province etc. With no pasture and no proper shelter, 322,000 heads of livestock have already died in Gobi-Altai, Uvurkhangai, Umnugobi, Bayankhongor, Khovd, Arkhangai, Khuvsgul, Bayanulgii and Zavkhan. The fodder is already finished in Gobi-Altai, Umnugobi, Bayankhongor, Dundgobi and Zavkhan.

T. Badamjunai, Minister of Food and Agriculture and Light Industry, has given the assurance that fodder will be sent to all provinces and is looking for funds to provide health and other essential services to herdsmen.