'REACH' Programme Aims to Aid Herder Families in Dzud-Affected Provinces

Press Release

'REACH' Programme Aims to Aid Herder Families in Dzud-Affected Provinces

Ulaanbaatar - Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Helmut Kulitz, and B. Mungunkhishig, the Country Director for People in Need INGO, signed a contract today to implement the "REACH" humanitarian assistance programme in Bayan-Olgii and Khovd provinces, supported by joint funding.

The main goal of this initiative is to address the urgent needs of child protection, education, and healthcare in remote areas affected by the dzud among herder families and their children.

Under this initiative, a thorough child protection risk assessment will be conducted in 270 herder households and 18 boarding schools in the two provinces. Parents, guardians, and school administrators will receive guidance on risk reduction and collaborative child protection team activities will be encouraged. Additionally, educational materials and essential vitamins will be distributed to children from 270 families, 2,855 children residing in boarding houses of 18 schools, and an additional 3,400 children. Moreover, 270 families will receive financial assistance to support their children's educational and healthcare needs.

"In response to the Mongolian government’s call for humanitarian assistance during the dzud, we aim to provide vital support, focusing on health, nutrition, and child protection for herder families and their children," said Helmut Kulitz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"One of our first initiatives in Mongolia was delivering vital humanitarian aid to herders during the harsh dzud of 2009-2010," stated Mungunkhishig Batbaatar, the Country Director of People in Need. "Our dedication lies in extending a helping hand to the vulnerable communities in Mongolia during their toughest moments.

The project will cover 18 soums, including Deleun, Tolbo, Altai, Buyant, Sagsai, Ulaanhus, Tsengel, Khukhnnuur, and Bayannuur in Bayan Ulgii province, as well as Altai, Bulgan, Uench, Myangad, Munkhkhairkhan, Moust, Durgan, Darvi, and Tsetse soums in Khovd province. All activities within the project are carefully tailored to address specific local needs and will be executed in close collaboration with the Child and Family Development and Protection Department of the respective provinces.