A special Government meeting on Friday adopted a comprehensive plan on improving conditions in the animal husbandry sector hit by natural disaster, and also approved a temporary measure to provide animals to herders who are left with no livestock.

The dzud has affected 80.9 percent of the territory of the country, covering 175 soums of 17 provinces. Some 57.3 percent or 97,500 herder households of total herder community suffered from the dzud.  Severe snow storms led to 17 people aged between 12 and 89 years freezing to death while pasturing their animals. The total loss of animals is counted at 6.5 million, with the figure likely to rise. This is a direct loss of MNT360 billion at current market prices, with 90.7 percent of total livestock loss recorded in 11 provinces–Arkhangai, Ovorkhangai, Zavkhan, Dundgobi, Gobi-Altai, Khovd, Khovsgol, Omnogobi, Uvs, Tov and Bayankhongor.

The dzud has left 8,711 herder families with no livestock at all, and 32,756 families have lost more than 50 percent of their animals. Around 1,400 families have migrated to urban areas after losing their livestock. Many are showing symptoms of severe psychological stress, leading at times to death.

About 69,600 herders had borrowed altogether MNT63.9 billion from commercial banks, of which MNT2.1 billion has been traced to those who have lost all or most of their animals. Banks are taking steps to extend the loan period and to waive penalties.

The Government has so far spent MNT6.8 billion on helping herders, with international organizations, individuals and entities sending aid worth MNT3.5 billion. Foreign relief aid programs have spent MNT10.8 billion so far.