World Vision International Mongolia’s (WVIM) “Climate Resilient Communities” (CRC) project, in partnership with the General Authority for Veterinary Services (GAVS), has significantly advanced Mongolia’s animal disease prevention and response capabilities by upgrading the Participatory Disease Surveillance (PDS) module within the Mongolian Animal Health Integrated System (MAHIS). This upgrade, officially endorsed by GAVS, enhances documentation and reporting mechanisms, enabling more effective disease monitoring and control across the country.

The upgraded PDS module allows field assessment data to be uploaded directly to the MAHIS platform, accessible from any internet-connected location nationwide. By integrating PDS assessment data with active surveillance approaches, local veterinarians can validate and respond to outbreaks with greater accuracy and speed. This system is expected to drastically improve Mongolia’s ability to address zoonotic and infectious disease risks.

To ensure accessibility and capacity building, the project developed Mongolia’s first participatory epidemiology guidebook. Endorsed by GAVS, the guidebook is tailored to local laws, policies, and veterinary practices, providing a vital resource for PDS practitioners and veterinarians. It supports in-house training for new PDS practitioners and is integrated into the MAHIS system for nationwide access.

The project also conducted a participatory epidemiological study across five provinces—Dornod, Dundgobi, Dornogobi, Gobi-Altai, and Uvs—surveying 1,655 herders across 142 teams in 38 soums. Findings revealed a high prevalence of external parasitic infections and underscored the need for improved veterinary services and laboratory testing of livestock movements to reduce cross-border disease transmission risks.

The CRC project, funded by USAID, has been active from 2022 to 2025, concentrating on agriculture and disaster risk reduction. It collaborates closely with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), GAVS, Provincial Governor’s Offices, and Emergency Management Agencies.

The strong collaboration with key partners has enabled WVIM’s CRC project to deliver impactful solutions, showcasing its technical expertise in addressing both urban and rural challenges, empowering communities to mitigate zoonotic disease risks, and enhancing public health resilience.