Roads and mountain passes have already been blocked by snow and dzud conditions appear to be forming. 34 herders'households from Khovd are winter camping with their 36,100 animals in the neighbouring soums of Bayanolgii, Uvs and Gobi-Altai aimags, and 37 households with 17,900 animals are camping for the winter in the national parks in the Khouhk Sekhiin mountain ranges and in Dund gol. 64 households with 32,200 animals are winter camping in the protected areas of the Ontontenger and Tarbagtai mountain ranges and 326 households with 163,000 livestock are to move to remote pastures to soums of Zavhan aimag. A similar situation exists in Khuvsgul where 1,000 families will move to other soums within the aimag. Latest news reports indicate that the early snowstorms have killed already almost 16,000 head of livestock and more losses are expected in the near future.
Government officials report that requests for assistance, have been received from several aimags.
Since summer, the Government has taken appropriate preparedness measures such as stocking grass fodder in the State Security Fodder Fund. A considerable amount of funds has been allocated for this purpose. Action is underway to distribute and deliver over 10,000 tons of grass fodder supplied by Japan to compensate for the damages caused by last year's dzud. The Government also decided to supply cars for health services in soums in dzud conditions. The UN RC informed OCHA early December that the Government has requested additional support from the UN with respect to disaster assessment and possibly program development.