FREEZE CAUSES MALNUTRITION IN MONGOLIA

Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ The United Nations is raising concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in Mongolia, brought on by drought and temperatures hitting minus 40 degrees Celsius in most provinces.
The extreme weather conditions, known locally as the zud, have already caused the deaths of more than one million livestock, as supplies of fodder dwindles.
The situation is threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Mongolians, who depend on livestock herding as their main source of income.
United Nation's acting representative in Mongolia, Rana Flowers, told Radio Australia that malnutrition rates are expected to rise. "Already with over 20 per cent of the population suffering from chronic malnutrition, we're anticipating that that figure will rise," she said.
"Obviously, getting food and nutritious snacks and vitamins and minerals out to the population is one of the key concerns that we're facing at the moment."
Ms Flowers says the last zud ocurred 2000-2001 when there was also an increase in the chronic malnutrition levels of the population.
Mongolia's government has already launched an appeal to the donor community for food, medical supplies and heating facilities.
The Red Cross meanwhile is already collecting and distributing warm clothing to the most vulnerable. Tia Farrell, an international volunteer with Mongolia's Red Cross Society, says there are reports of as many as 22,200 children residing in dormitories that are inaccessible due to snowy conditions. "They have been unable to get home to their families. They are in 265 dormitories around the country, having poor heating and limited food supply," she said.
S.Batbayar