Economic, social, and political changes: 97105948_pb009coldmongolia.jpg _pb001cambodia.jpg

Mongolia is one of the coldest places on the planet with temperatures dropping as low as -25C on an average winter day.The country suffered one of the most difficult winters in over 30 years. In Mongolian language its called the “Zud”, a Mongolian term which is a multiple natural disaster consisting of a summer drought producing small stockpiling of fodder, followed by very heavy winter snow and bitter cold. ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA-MARCH 16 : The sunsets over the hills as the cold takes over another night in the Ger district March 16, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Many Mongolians have immigrated to the capitol city from the far away provinces seeking employment, living in rented traditional circular felt yurts with no running water or electricity. In the winter this means extreme hardship, with temperatures dropping below -25C mid- Winter. As Mongolia experiences extreme cold and snow struggling during the worst winter in 30 years. Presently the government has declared an emergency requiring foreign aid to alleviate the impact of the {quote} Zud{quote} ( Mongolian term for a multiple natural disaster) caused by bitter cold and thick snow. Currently 1.5 m goats, 921,000 sheep, 169,000 cows and yaks, 89,000 horses and 1,500 camels had died according to the various UN agency reports. (Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)
97105948_pb009coldmongolia.jpg _pb001cambodia.jpg

Mongolia is one of the coldest places on the planet with temperatures dropping as low as -25C on an average winter day.The country suffered one of the most difficult winters in over 30 years. In Mongolian language its called the “Zud”, a Mongolian term which is a multiple natural disaster consisting of a summer drought producing small stockpiling of fodder, followed by very heavy winter snow and bitter cold.

ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA-MARCH 16 : The sunsets over the hills as the cold takes over another night in the Ger district March 16, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Many Mongolians have immigrated to the capitol city from the far away provinces seeking employment, living in rented traditional circular felt yurts with no running water or electricity.

In the winter this means extreme hardship, with temperatures dropping below -25C mid- Winter. As Mongolia experiences extreme cold and snow struggling during the worst winter in 30 years. Presently the government has declared an emergency requiring foreign aid to alleviate the impact of the " Zud" ( Mongolian term for a multiple natural disaster) caused by bitter cold and thick snow. Currently 1.5 m goats, 921,000 sheep, 169,000 cows and yaks, 89,000 horses and 1,500 camels had died according to the various UN agency reports. (Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)