Prime Minister S.Batbold told Parliament on Friday that the Government had approved of plans to revitalize the animal husbandry sector following the dzud, which include a program to provide herders who have lost all their livestock with some animals.

Some 80.9 percent of the country, covering 175 soums of 17 provinces have been affected, with 97,500 or 57.3 percent of herder households suffering losses. Severe snow storms led to the death of 17 people aged 12-8. Until now, 6.9 million heads of livestock have perished nationwide, a direct loss of MNT 360.3 billion at current market value. Of the total loss, 90.7 percent have been recorded  in 11 provinces–Arkhangai, Ovorkhangai, Zavkhan, Dundgobi, Gobi-Altai, Khovd, Khovsgol, Omnogobi, Uvs, Tov and Bayankhongor.

Thed zud has left 8,711 herder families with no livestock; another 32,756 have lost over 50 percent of their animals. Some 1,400 herder families have migrated to urban areas after losing all their livestock. The incidence of stress related disorders has been increasing among herders.

About 69,000 herders borrowed MNT63.9 billion from commercial banks; MNT 2.1 billion of the total debt is with herders who lost all or almost all their  animals. Commercial banks are taking steps to extend the loan term and to waive penalty. 

The Government has spent MNT 6.8 billion on herders so far, while international organizations, individuals and entities have sent aid totaling MNT 3.5 billion. In addition, foreign relief aid, programs and projects spent MNT 10.8 billion. Some 41.4 percent of this went toward increasing food supply, 22.3 percent toward transportation, and 18.8 percent toward providing animal feed, and 17.5 percent toward removing animal carcasses.

The Government has asked for suggestions from provincial authorities on how best to meet the problem. The greatest need is to restock herders with livestock. Thus, the Government has presented a draft law to Parliament to allocate the necessary funds after a budget revision. Half or 4,355 of the affected herder families will be enrolled in the restocking program, while the other 4,356 families will be absorbed in other economic sectors.

They will be given trainings to help join another profession. All herders will receive medical attention.

The authorities are planning to implement the livestock indexed insurance in all provinces by 2012.