Ulaanbaatar, June 3, 2016 –Warmer weather has signalled the arrival of summer in Mongolia, but the lingering effects of the Dzud disaster that came earlier this year will continue to affect the lives of as many as 63,000 nomadic households in the country for days to come.

Many of these herder families lost their livestock to this year’s severe winter and the season of bitter cold impacted not only their livelihood but also theireveryday conditions thereafter.As with most natural disasters or humanitarian crises, this means that women and girls in the affected communities are more likely to be exposed to health risks, uncertain about their overall safety and security, and vulnerableto violence. Further, access to personal items for maintaining hygiene and health becomes harder,due to less disposable incomes and the limited ability to procure basic supplies.

With a view to address the unique needs of the women and girls affected by the Dzud disaster, UNFPA Mongolia has distributed Dignity Kits to women and girls in affected communities,in cooperation with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on two earlier occasions.  First in February, 120 Dignity Kits were distributedand second, in April when women and girls in 45 ‘soums’ ofsix provinces or ‘aimags’have since received a total of 7,962 Dignity Kitsas part of the United Nations response mobilized through the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF).
Today, three months after that initial response, the same assistance will be extended to more ‘soums’ in 5 provinces namely, Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Sukhbaatar,Uvs, and Zavkhan. 3,740 dignity kits will be distributed to 1,870 households in 25 ‘soums’.  Funding was made available through the principles of competitiveness and value for money in UNFPA’s procurement policy through which UNFPA Mongolia secured financial savings from the earlier Dignity Kits procurement.

The Dignity Kits are assembled to help preserve sanitation and hygiene for women and girls, whose overall health, safety and dignity may often become the last priority in the aftermath, as families struggle to cope with and recover from the lingering effects of the disaster. The kits contain sanitary supplies, underwear, clothes, socks, towels and soaps, as well as protection items including whistles and torches with batteries.

Additionally, MNT 14,533,700 (USD 7,266)infuel costs, are being transferred to 27 ‘soum’ health centers to support mobile health services in order to be better able reach women who live in isolated areasfar from any immediate medical or health assistance.

"UNFPA continues to work with the Government of Mongolia to bring support to women and girls in these affected areas through the provision of dignity kits,” says Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative. “Even as the Dzud has passed, the need to help promote the health and well-being of herding communities across the country continues today."

By: A.Esguerra