50 households in Orkhon aimag received Mongolian ger heating, insulation, and ventilation CHIP packages

Mongolia, Orkhon Province - Mongolian ger heating, insulation, and ventilation CHIP packages were handed over to 50 households of the target group living in traditional Mongolian gers.

This package is a practical solution to protect the health of young children and pregnant women from air pollution, reduce environmental pollution for households, and offer a  warm and comfortable solution to get through the winter while saving money for the family. The product is easy to use and helps to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution while providing an opportunity to heat the ger at an even temperature.

The Government of Mongolia and UNICEF initiated the CHIP package for Mongolian ger insulation, heating, and ventilation with the support of the Swiss Development Agency within the framework of the program " Impact of air pollution on maternal and child health " and was designed by Mongolian engineers.

To tackle air pollution and introduce the CHIP package, UNICEF is partnering with MUST, People in Need INGO, Mongolian Sustainable Finance Association (ToC Association). Currently, over 1,000 households are using the CHIP package in Bayankhongor, Gobi-Altai, Umnogovi aimags, Bayanzurkh, and Songinokhairkhan districts of Ulaanbaatar.

UNICEF has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Orkhon aimag to disseminate the best practices accumulated within the program at the national level.

Minister of Environment and Tourism B. Bat-Erdene UNICEF Representative to Mongolia Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, and Country Director of People in Need INGO B. Mungunkhishig are working in Orkhon aimag on 23–25 November.

During the working visit "Ger Information Center" was launched to provide information about the CHIP package to the public. Minister of Environment and Tourism B. Bat-Erdene, UNICEF Representative to Mongolia Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, and Governor of Orkhon aimag S. Batjargal signed a memorandum of cooperation.

“The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been at the forefront of tackling air pollution with other ministries, agencies, and development partners. With the contribution of development partners, the Government of Mongolia has been implementing several projects to reduce air pollution in urban areas. One of the successful projects is “Impact of air pollution on maternal and child health,” funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by UNICEF,” said B. Bat-Erdene, Minister of Environment and Tourism.

"In both urban and rural areas, air pollution has become a serious issue. As a result of the CHIP package introduction, we anticipate that air quality will be improved indoors and outdoors. This will positively impact people's health and our aimag health indicators. Additionally, every household will be able to live comfortably in their gers and contribute to enhancing the image of Orkhon aimag because there will be less coal ash or waste. The aimag will support the project in all aspects," said Orkhon Aimag Deputy Governor A. Tuvshinjargal.

“Young children, expectant moms, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses are the populations most at risk from air pollution. When burning coal at home, indoor air pollution is very high. The CHIP package protects people from exposure to pollution and various respiratory diseases caused by pollution,” said Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, UNICEF Representative to Mongolia.

Refer to "Agaar Neg" Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/agaarneg.mn for additional information on the CHIP package.

Contacts:

Ariunzaya Davaa, Communications Specialist UNICEF Mongolia

adavaa@unicef.org

Tina Puntsag, Advocacy and Communications Manager, People in Need INGO

Tina.puntsag@pepoleinneed.neg