Economic, social, and political changes: _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 5 : Mongolians work collecting and recycling at a dump keeping warm by a fire March 5, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. The average money made per day is $6.50 US. Working at the garbage dump means extreme hardship, long hours outside in frigid temperatures dropping below -25C in the Winter as Mongolia experienced one of the worst Winters 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 million 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. 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.(Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)
_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 5 : Mongolians work collecting and recycling at a dump keeping warm by a fire March 5, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. The average money made per day is $6.50 US. Working at the garbage dump means extreme hardship, long hours outside in frigid temperatures dropping below -25C in the Winter as Mongolia experienced one of the worst Winters 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 million 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. 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.

(Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)