“After Dzuds people come to the cities in search of work but they face a range of challenges. When they leave their homeland they often fall into depression because they lose their independent way of life and have to depend on other people. Sometimes urban people are not so welcoming”.

He has witnessed how climate change is fuelling more extreme weather patterns in Mongolia.

“Today in Mongolia the seasons are different. Winter is getting longer and temperatures are getting much colder. Dzud occurs not only in winter but also in summer when drought means animals don’t get enough nutrition. The local administration is working with herders to help them adapt to the changes in nature and be better prepared for Dzud. Understanding the risks is the first step, then acting on them is the next. For example, taking out livestock insurance is one way for herders to safeguard their livelihood.”  

The AMCDRR in Mongolia will provide a platform that brings together a wide range of actors. Government ministers will come together with representatives from UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector and also civil society groups representing women, children and youth and people with disabilities.

“Our aim is to tackle disaster risk by engaging all sectors of society. We want an inclusive approach that brings coherence to disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans and approaches at the regional, national and local levels”, explains Loretta Hieber-Girardet, Chief of UNISDR’s regional office in Asia Pacific.

“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is the UN’s top priority, but many of these goals are under threat unless we find ways to reduce disaster losses. The impacts of climate change are driving the frequency and severity of disasters and if we are to reduce mortality levels and the massive financial losses resulting from disasters in the region, its vital that we accelerate action and increase investment in DRR”.

Over the last 50 years the Asia Pacific region has suffered nearly $1.3 trillion in economic losses to disasters. Losses in the region could exceed $160 billion annually by 2030. 

Date:

1 Jul 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction - Regional Office for Asia and Pacific (UNISDR AP)

Themes:

Capacity Development, Civil Society/NGOs, Climate Change, Community-based DRR, Advocacy & Media

Hazards:

Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake

Countries:

Mongolia

Regions:

Asia