Ulaanbaatar - On 12 March 2025, IOM Mongolia launched an information campaign on climate change, disaster preparedness, and response (hereinafter referred to as “the campaign”). The campaign is part of the project “Addressing Climate Change-Induced Human Mobility in Mongolia,” funded by the IOM Development Fund. The goal of the campaign is to enhance access to targeted information, support, and resources to strengthen the resilience of rural communities in Mongolia, particularly marginalized groups such as women and children, to disasters induced by climate change.

In partnership with the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS), the campaign will disseminate over 30 pieces of content, including videos, posters, reels, and articles, across social media platforms, television, and websites. The official slogan of the campaign is “Climate Adaptation: Rising Above Challenges (Дасан зохицъё даван туулъя)", which highlights the importance of preparedness in overcoming challenges posed by climate change.

Mongolia is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Its arid, landlocked climate and traditional nomadic culture make it especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change on human mobility. A significant meteorological phenomenon, known as ‘dzud,’ exacerbates these challenges, resulting from the country's cold and dry weather. Dzud poses threats to livelihoods and health, bringing severe cold waves and strong snowstorms. In the winter of 2023 to 2024, dzud led to the loss of 12.6 per cent of the country's livestock, affecting thousands of herder households—representing about one-fourth of Mongolia’s population (NSO, 2025).

The impacts of climate change disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable populations in rural Mongolia. According to World Bank estimates, one-third of herders live below the poverty line (World Bank, 2020). These challenges are heightened by climate change, compounded with issues such as weak supply chains and urban and rural development discrepancies. The vulnerabilities of women and children are further worsened by these impacts, linked to power imbalances, limited access to health and education services, and restricted economic opportunities.

Limited access to information regarding disasters and their associated risks makes rural communities more susceptible to climate change-related hazards. The campaign focuses on providing actionable information about disaster preparedness and response, emphasizing the importance of resource management and improved livestock practices. These efforts align with two of the three main objectives of IOM’s Strategic Plan: saving lives, protecting those on the move, and driving solutions to displacement.

***

For more information, please contact Byambasuren M. at IOM Mongolia, Email: bmunkhjargal@iom.int