Mongolia country

Focus Topic

Spotlight on Mongolia

Mongolia, bordered by China and Russia, is the second largest landlocked country in the world. Mongolia has a population of more than 3 million. Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and its largest city, accounting for 45% of Mongolia’s population.

Minerals and livestock are the main economic pillars of Mongolia. Its people have a long and storied history as nomads. Grassland culture is a major feature of Mongolia, and for centuries, Mongolians and their livestock have made their homes on the wide grassy plains.

Mongolia experiences extremely cold winters (as low as -45 degrees Celsius) in which large numbers of livestock die. This severe cold weather phenomenon, called “dzud”, deals a heavy blow to Mongolia’s people.

The 2020 30-Hour Famine will put the spotlight on Mongolia, a country rich in culture. We’re inviting everyone to come see the world of Mongolia’s children, witnessing their current situation and the challenges they face.

Global Issues - Hunger and Poverty

Poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods. It also leads to hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic public services, social discrimination and exclusion, as well as a lack of participation in decision-making.

Today, more than 780 million people live below the international poverty line. More than 11% of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty, and struggle to meet their most basic needs, such as health, education, and access to water and sanitation.

A lack of proper water resources and sanitation facilities can cause diarrhoea, which may lead to reduced food intake and nutrient absorption, malnutrition, reduced resistance to infectious diseases, as well as impaired physical and cognitive development.

In light of these facts, the 30-Hour Famine 2020 will focus on the following areas to understand how poverty and hunger impacts:

Livelihood

During winters, Mongolia can experience a severe cold weather phenomenon called “dzud”. Large numbers of livestock die from either starvation or cold, and these losses have a devastating impact on herder livelihoods.

Clean Water & Sanitation

The infrastructure in poor communities is inadequate, and many vulnerable families lack proper water and sanitation systems. Issues like poor sanitation facilities, a lack of proper hygiene awareness and practices, a lack of access to clean and safe drinking water and poor waste management have a negative impact on poor families.