An extreme weather phenomenon—blamed on climate change—has killed more than 7.1 million animals in Mongolia this year.Known as the dzud, the phenomenon is a lethal combination of drought with severe snowy winters and poses a severe threat to communities across the country.The dzud, which means disaster, occurs when temperature changes cause thaw-and-refreeze cycles that create ice barriers over feeding grounds and results in livestock starving.
'Mongolia's economy is heavily dependent on herding, which contributes 80% of its agricultural production and 11% of GDP.As well as affecting the animal population, many people in the country are struggling to survive because of the dzud too. The Khurelbaatar family told the IFRC how their herd was reduced from over 400 animals to less than 100 during the winter.'Starved and exhausted pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable,' said Khurelbaatar B, a herder.