World Vision International Mongolia, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is implementing the ‘MONDER II’ project for 2023-2024 to provide urgent aid to 2,000 herder households affected by the dzud in 33 soums across five provinces. As part of this project, each herder household received 320 kg of feed and a hygiene kit between March and May.

In August, the project team conducted a satisfaction survey among 117 herder households in 24 soums of Arkhangai, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornogovi, and Khovd provinces to monitor and evaluate the aid activities and gather the necessary information to improve future operations.

The survey results showed that the feed provided lasted more than 21 days, and the hygiene kits lasted over 30 days, indicating that the emergency assistance was substantial and compelling. Most herders felt that the aid was timely and helped reduce livestock losses. However, some herders suggested that delivering the aid in November-December, before the livestock’s condition deteriorates, would be more effective.

During the aid distribution, training sessions on disaster awareness, psychological first aid, and gender equality were conducted for the herders. The herders desired more accessible and regular information on these topics in the future.

World Vision International Mongolia, in collaboration with the Independent Research Institute, conducted a ‘Rapid Assessment of Gender-Based Violence During Dzud’ among herders in provinces severely affected by the winter of 2022-2023 as part of the ‘MONDER I’ project. Based on the results of this assessment, they are developing training modules to empower joint teams and members of herder households on gender-based violence during disasters.