The National Security Council of Mongolia has declared that air-pollution in the capital city Ulaanbaatar has reached disaster level and issued guidance.

This year’s cold season has already begun and with it the acrid smog from the ger districts in the Mongolian capital. Both the national government, the city administration and the administrations of UB’s districts have begun implementing actions for fighting air-pollution. For example, an innovation centre for heating technologies has opened in the Chingeltei District advertising and promoting companies which work in fighting air-pollution. The Chingeltei centre also informs the public about Government resolutions and action in combating pollution. The Chingeltei District spent MNT 310 million on the innovation center.

Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, where a half of the country’s children live, is amongst the highest in the world during the cold season. In the last 10 years, incidences of respiratory diseases in Ulaanbaatar have increased alarmingly, including a 2.7-fold increase in respiratory infections per 10,000 population. Pneumonia is now the second leading cause for under-five child mortality among the under-fives, in the country.