The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a two-year, MNT 3.7 billion ($1.3 million) project to boost the resilience of Mongolian communities against natural hazards.

USAID’s Disaster Resilient Communities project, implemented in partnership with World Vision, will help vulnerable urban and rural communities in Mongolia to stay safe and protect livelihoods during extreme weather events and natural disasters.

“The United States and Mongolia enjoy a strong, long-standing partnership underpinned by common development interests and shared democratic values,” U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Michael Klecheski said. “This new disaster risk reduction project builds on the success of previous USAID-supported activities that have helped Mongolian communities prepare for and respond to natural threats impeding the country’s development journey.”

USAID will work with local leaders and communities in urban and rural areas to build awareness of disaster risks and conduct training in emergency response, first aid, and disaster planning to strengthen communities’ preparedness for and ability to respond to disasters.

USAID will support communities that are vulnerable to severe weather by strengthening field veterinary services and animal disease prevention measures, providing seeds and training for weather-resistant animal feed, and building shelters to protect herders’ livestock during disasters.

Since 2010, USAID has been helping vulnerable Mongolian communities to be more resilient to disasters by providing approximately MNT 17 billion (nearly $6 million) to support disaster risk reduction programs.