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0 One of the most serious problems facing our city recently is the recurring flooding. Every time it rains, we live in fear of floods. According to the Central Asian Economic Action Program (CAREC) estimate in 2022, floods impacted 92 people in our country and caused economic damage totaling 24 million dollars a year. This is a critical issue that requires our attention.
In this series of articles, we spoke with Evariste Kouassi-Komlan, UNICEF's Representative in Mongolia, about UNICEF's response to this issue. Along with the Government of Japan, they are working on a project titled "Improving sanitation and hygiene in flood vulnerable communities for improving public health situation". The project has received a total of 1.8 million dollars in funding.
Could you please tell us about the project you are implementing with the GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN?
You may recall that last year, many families lost their homes, and numerous buildings were flooded in Ulaanbaatar. According to statistics, the 2023 flood displaced more than 20,000 people. This disaster led to significant economic losses and posed serious risks to citizens' health and safety.
In response, the Government of Japan (GoJ) through its generous supplementary fund has supported UNICEF in Mongolia to work on the prevention of such natural disasters. This collaboration resulted in the development of the project “Improving Sanitation and Hygiene in Flood Vulnerable Communities to Improve Public Health”. The Government of Japan is providing 1.8 million dollars for this initiative. The project, set to be implemented until January 2025 and will focus on nine districts of Ulaanbaatar and aims to make a substantial impact on flood risk prevention and address hygiene promotion.
Please tell us more about the activities that will be implemented within the project.
It is about humanitarian response readiness. In close discussion with the Embassy of Japan in Mongolia, we have planned three main interventions areas:
First, on June 17th, three heavy duty high-capacity water pumps were officially handed over to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). These pumps, with pumping capacity of 153l/s are designed to consume low amounts of energy with minimum operation cost. The prepositioning of these high-capacity pumps is fundamental for a very quick reaction.
/Three high-capacity water pumps were officially handed over to the NEMA on 17 June 2024/
/His Excellency Mr.Igawahara Masaru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia opened the handover ceremony/
Second, we plan to construct 18 water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in flood risk areas across nine districts of the city. This includes the construction of 13 public sanitary facilities in eight districts, the renovation of a school toilet, and the construction of seven smart drinking water distribution points in four of the districts. This will be followed by hygiene promotion and awareness raising on flood.
Third, the project has already started strengthening the capacity of 100 civil servants and 1,000 experts in the health and education sectors. Preparing these experts to respond effectively to emergency situations is crucial. The capacity building of those experts is conducted in collaboration with the NEMA and Mongolian Red Cross Society.
How important is the participation of international organizations in overcoming natural disasters in mongolia?
This is a very important question. Using the example of the recent dzud that affected Mongolians, we want to emphasize that such events are not just natural disasters. They are dangerous phenomena that impact everyone's lives - the livelihoods. Many families rely on livestock for their livelihoods and those animals endangered by dzud are crucial for their survival. Our goal is to ensure that humanitarian community understands the severity of these situations particularly in Mongolia, where is not classified a country facing disaster, we need to help understand that and come up with innovative solution to help.
Additionally, we focus on supporting the government in developing better risk mitigation mechanisms.
For UNICEF's side, we focused on life saving items and distributed household goods such as toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap to improve the hygiene of herders and their children. First aid kits were also provided to hospitals and health centers, enabling children and adults to receive free medical assistance. Notably, digital radios and tablets were placed in schools and dormitories, providing students with opportunities to continue their education despite the challenges. With partners we also delivered psychosocial support, nutrition intervention and many others. I take this opportunity to thank all partners who have contributed to these efforts including private sectors, schools and children councils.
Could you please tell us about your challenges during the project?
Our project has encountered several challenges along the way. Initially, obtaining land permits for constructing buildings and structures proved to be a lengthy process. Additionally, some of our work sites faced issues with heating systems and water supply, resulting in unexpected costs. Another obstacle we are currently navigating with is the approaching winter season. These challenges have slowly been resolved and we expected delivery in time.
What should we do to protect ourselves from floods?
Certainly, there are various approaches. Firstly, it's crucial to determine if you reside in a flood risk area. As part of our project, we aim to disseminate information to residents living in flood-prone areas in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency.
For those residing in flood-prone areas, immediate relocation is paramount. Given the potential dangers, it's essential to assess the risk and take necessary precautions. Secondly, it's advisable to refrain from constructing buildings on floodplains, as it poses significant risks. Lastly, strict adherence to safety rules is imperative. Upon receiving flood alerts, prompt evacuation is necessary to safeguard lives and prevent potential harm to oneself and others.
