Mongolia suffers from harsh climate with winter emergencies, which wipe out millions of livestock at the core of rural livelihoods. The recent 2016 emergency, locally known as dzud (a very hot and dry summer followed by an extremely harsh winter), has caused the death of 1.1 million animals and left herders vulnerable and in need of humanitarian support. The death of so much livestock has significantly reduced the ability of households to access sufficient food, leading to health and nutrition concerns for the families. UNFPA's work in Mongolia has helped the most vulnerable individuals affected namely young children and pregnant women. In concerted efforts with the Government, UNFPA in Mongolia helps increase availability and use of integrated sexual and reproductive health services (including family planning, delivery of emergency maternal and newborn care, and HIV), hence decreasing the affected populations' vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.
