WHO Provides Psychosocial and Emergency Medical Support in Mongolia

5 March 2010—In response to the recent severe winter weather (locally known as a "dzud") in Mongolia, the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Mongolian Ministry of Health (MOH) is launching a project to address the health needs of people affected by the emergency.

The project aims to provide psychosocial support to herder families, prevent the spread of communicable diseases, improve water, sanitation, hygiene conditions at rural health facilities and prevent exposure of field medical staff to the extreme cold. It will support around 500 rural health workers in 65 affected soums (districts) in 12 aimags (provinces).

The project comprises the following activities:

- Provision of psychosocial support to herder families and guidance on crisis management and psychosocial interventions for local doctors and paramedics will be provided.

- Provision of essential emergency medical supplies to herders.

- Provision of hygiene and disinfection materials for health workers

- Development and dissemination of IEC materials for prevention of communicable diseases

- Improvement of water storage, sewage disposal, sanitation facilities and hygiene conditions in soum hospitals

- Provision of warm clothing, gloves and other protective gear for local doctors and emergency workers

The project will be implemented in partnership with the Mongolian MOH, local health departments, the National Mental Health Centre, Mongolian Red Cross, National Emergency Management Agency and Professional Committee on Psychology.

This project is funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)