Air pollution in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, is an annual problem; this year, however, because of the coldest conditions in a decade, it is particularly serious. The city's hospitals are currently overburdened with an influx of sick children under the age of five. The situation is so desperate that some of them are having to spend the night on the floor. Many of the children are being treated for dry coughs and pneumonia caused by the air pollution.

On 26th of December, parents will parade against air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, demanding that officials take urgent and efficient action. The demonstration is being organised by ‘Mothers against air pollution’.

UNICEF reported 435 deaths from pneumonia among children under the age of five in 2015. The three main causes of death in Mongolia are related to air pollution. It clear that  air pollution is a serious threat to healthy human development; our lungs are fully developed by the time we reach the age of three.