FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 10/00 - MONGOLIA* (25 September)
Drought during the critical summer months, during which the country's main staple wheat is produced, may adversely impact grain and fodder production. Wheat is normally planted in May/June for harvest in October. This in turn is likely to exacerbate serious problems that livestock herders are facing following severe winter conditions earlier in the year, that resulted in the death of several hundred thousand livestock and a sharp deterioration in the livelihood and food security of large numbers of nomadic families. Due to lack of fodder and feed many animals are already in a poor state of health and will be more susceptible to outbreaks of animal diseases. UN reports indicate that the drought has left 50 per cent of the country dry, 20 per cent suffering from severe water shortage and more than 450 000 people susceptible to food shortages in the short term. In addition many of the districts affected were also affected by the harsh winter conditions last year. The situation may become worse as the National Agency of Meteorology forecasts continued unfavourable weather conditions with a lower than average precipitation.
The impact of natural disasters on livestock is of immense importance. The sector plays an extremely important part in the economy providing the main source of household income and a major source of foreign exchange. The heavy loss of livestock and the consequent reduction in meat supplies have resulted in a large increase (up to 40 percent) in livestock prices. This is turn has had a knock-on effect on inflation and the cost of living further exacerbating the food security of the poor and vulnerable groups. In addition to meat, there is serious shortage of milk, especially in rural areas, further restricting an important source of protein and nutrients in the diet. It has also been very difficult for nomadic families to find alternative sources of income, as most are poorly educated and trained for alternative employment. Nonetheless many have migrated to towns and urban centres compounding existing problems of unemployment and vulnerability to food shortages.
Current food shortages follow several years in which nutritional standards in the country have been falling due to significant changes in economic circumstance of large sectors of the population as the economy has been reoriented from one which was centrally planned to one which is market driven. This in particular has left many groups who were formally dependent on state employment and welfare exposed to economic uncertainties due to limited alternatives. Various reports in the mid-1990s indicated that those most affected by poverty and food insecurity included the unemployed, the elderly, female headed households, children, pensioners and small herders.
Nationally, to counter the fodder and feed needs the Ministry of Food and Agriculture took measures in July to increase hay and fodder production in unaffected areas for distribution amongst the affected rural population, and to provide provincial authorities with loans to cover the purchase of hay and fodder, the repair of existing wells and the installation of hand-operated wells. Arrangements were also made for the relocation of families and their herds from four drought affected provinces and for winter stocks and insulation. In addition, since March this year the Mongolian Red Cross has distributed a sixmonth supply of wheat flour and rice to 35 000 people in six of the worst affected provinces.
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