ja_mageia

Mongolia

21 February 2003 to 25 February 2003

Food Distribution spearheaded by:

[1] Lim Bee Yong (St James' Church)

[2] Pauline Kwan Teh (Church Of The True Light)

Background:

Mongolia has been experiencing dzuds (harsh bitter winter) over the past years, resulting in about one-third of the livestock in the countryside to die from the bitter cold and absence of fodder. The extreme climatic condition drove many Mongolians to disadvantaged living situation due to lack of food.

Objective of the Food Distribution Programme:

The main objective was to assist in alleviating the situation of lack of food for the poor and needy in and around Ulaan Bataar. ACROSS gave a total of 22 tonnes of flour, rice and oil to recipients in 5 locations.

General background of the recipients and notes on the 5 locations:

(In all the 5 locations, we worked with the local churches there. Food aid recipients were not discriminated; help was given to the poor and needy regardless of their religious background.)

• Many of the recipients were once herders in the countryside but the harsh winter drove them into the city in search of livelihood.
• Many of the recipients were receiving food ration for the first time even though the church has been involved in food distribution for a few times before. According to the pastor, the list of recipients released by the local authorities are constantly updated and the authorities would regulate and monitor the list of poor and needy in order to avoid overlapping in the distribution.

 

• This location is next to the dumping ground and is 20km from Ulaan Bataar.
• 90% of the recipients live in gurs and are the poorest of the poor.
• More than half the recipients are above 50years old.

 

• This location is 5 km from Ulaan Bataar.
• Many people living in this area travel to the city in search of jobs. But with the influx of people into the capital city, unemployment remains high in this place.
• The church provides hot tea and bread for lunch to youth everyday during the winter period. It was especially encouraging to see a government official coming to the church to help in the distribution of food to the poor and needy in the community.

• This location is 35 km from Ulaan Bataar.
• Nalaikh is known for its coal-mining work but the mines are closed during this period of prolonged winter.
• Besides distributing food in this area, the church packed clothes for all the recipients. It was heartening to see the youth in this area eager to help in this project; carrying the heavy sacks of flour, rice and oil for their older neighbors.

 

• This location is 30 km from Ulaan Bataat.
• This area is known for rearing chickens and producing chicken eggs.
• An increasing number of people are moving from the countryside towards Shuvuum Fabrik over the years due to the extreme weather conditions. Those from the countryside who moved here are also the poor and needy as many of them would have already lost their livestock to the harsh winters.