RELIEF AID CONTINGENT LEAVES FOR RURAL AREAS

Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ A column of relief aid left Ulaanbaatar on February 1 for herders in Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, Gobi-Altai, Dundgobi, Omnogobi, Ovorkhangai, Uvs, Khovd, Khovsgol, Zavkhan and Tov provinces that are under extremely difficult circumstances.
In response to an appeal by the Government and the State Emergency Commission, a MNT one billion 404 million worth aid donated by individuals, entities, public and NGOs, international humanitarian organizations have been shipped to help herders. The aid includes hay, forage, rice, flour, fuel, medical products, felt boots, warm clothes and others.
Seeing off ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Speaker D.Demberel, Prime Minister S.Batbold, government members and authorities of capital city administration, representations of public and non-governmental organizations.
About 90 percent of Mongolian territory has now been covered with snow and one million 712,259 heads of livestock have perished nationwide as of January 31.
According to the ministry, 29 soums of 7 provinces are declared as the disaster area, 35 soums of 6 provinces have suffered from dzud, 74 of 14 provinces are to be severely affected and 75 of 12 aimags might suffer from the severe winter.
S.Batbayar