Mongolians live in a harsh environment full of risks and hazards – including the threat of earthquakes. Since 1970, Mongolia has experienced 2,500 earthquakes, some extremely devastating; however because much of the country is sparsely populated, there have been few casualties and these major seismic events have never reached the headlines. However, were a major earthquake to hit Ulaanbaatar with its many poorly constructed ‘Soviet-era’ housing – the picture would be totally different.

At 4.00 pm on 29 March civil defence sirens will be sounded nationwide as part of a major public awareness activity.

The government has decided that from 2018, the fourth Wednesday of March every year is to be “Earthquake Awareness and Prevention Day” and to conduct a nationwide campaign of awareness and training citizens on prevention, risk reduction, preparedness and rescue actions.

The training and other activities will all be conducted by Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency.

More than half of the territory of Mongolia belongs to the possible 7-8 magnitude earthquake zone and some 20 per cent to the possible 9 or more magnitude earthquake zone. Some 75 per cent of towns and settlements are located in 7 + magnitude earthquake zones. Therefore, it is vitally important that all citizens have some knowledge and awareness regarding earthquake disaster.