FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 11/01 - MONGOLIA* (6 November)
Harsh weather conditions for the last several years have caused progressively shrinking cereal production and livestock. Excessive heat and shortage of rainfall during the summer have left 30 percent of the country experiencing drought and a further 40 percent of the territory suffering from extreme dryness.
In anticipation of another harsh winter, the government is preparing necessary contingency plans for the coming months. With extremely cold temperatures falling as low as minus 35 Celsius, it is expected that over 22 000 herder families in 80 counties need food and other material assistance through the international agencies during the critical preparation period for the winter. During the period from October to December 2001, a total of 35 000 beneficiaries in the 11 worst-affected provinces will be provided with supplementary emergency food assistance by the international community. The country has received 63 300 tonnes of wheat in food aid in 2000/01 (October/September).