Updated: March 2009
Mongolia
Overview | World Vision's history in Mongolia | World Vision in Mongolia today
OverviewMongolia lies in central Asia between the Russian Federation on the north and China on the south. It is the second largest landlocked nation in the world, but the least densely populated. Dry grasslands and semi-desert cover up to 80 percent of the nation’s total area. The Gobi Desert, which lies to the south, features forests, oases, and mountains. The north consists of several rivers, as well as Lake Khövsgöl, one of Asia’s largest freshwater lakes. Natural resources include oil, coal, copper, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, gold, silver, and iron.Mongolia receives up to 15 inches of rain in the spring, the summer temperature reaches a high of 70 degrees, and winter temperatures typically fall well below freezing. In recent years, blizzards have laid blankets of snow across the region, preventing livestock from grazing. The subsequent loss of livestock, a crucial food source in Mongolia, has contributed to the country’s severe food shortages. The country’s population is homogeneous, with nearly 95 percent comprised of ethnic Mongol groups, of which the Khalkha is the largest subgroup. The Turkics, who are mostly Kazakhs, represent the remaining five percent of the population. The Khalkha Mongolian dialect is spoken by the majority of people and used in schools and businesses. Shamanism is the region’s traditional religion, but gradually these beliefs gave way to Buddhist Lamaism. Islam is practiced by the Kazak Muslims, and interest in Christianity is growing.. |  |  
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| The presence of nomadic tribes in Mongolia, as recorded in Chinese history, dates back more than 2,000 years. In fact, the Great Wall, constructed around 200 B.C., was actually built to protect China from nomads known to periodically raid China’s harvestable food crops. The name Mongol comes from a small tribe whose leader, Genghis Khan, began a conquest that grew to encompass an empire stretching from Asia to southeastern Europe—as far west as the Black Sea and as far south as India and the Himalayas. By the 14th century, his kingdom was in decline due to invasions by Chinese resurgents. Centuries later—in 1921—Mongolia won its independence from Chinese rule, with the support of the Soviet Union. In 1924, a communist regime was installed that promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth, which would negatively affect the environment. The Mongolian democratic revolution began in 1989 with free elections held the following year, resulting in a multiparty government—though it was still largely communistic in practice. In 1996, the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) defeated the ex-communist Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP). Parliamentary elections returned power to the MPRP in 2000. A coalition government was established in 2004 with DUC’s leader, Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj. In 2005, Nambaryn Enkhbayar of the former MPRP became president, and Sanjaa Bayar was elected prime minister in late 2007. Mongolia is plagued by poor economic growth, corruption, and inflation. In 1990 and 1991, Mongolia’s economy experienced a sharp blow when the U.S.S.R. collapsed and subsidies stopped—formerly the Soviet Union supported one-third of Mongolia’s gross domestic product. Compounding Mongolia’s economic problems were the severe winters and summer droughts of 2000, 2001, and 2002; these extreme weather conditions contributed to massive livestock deaths and zero economic growth. As large amounts of agricultural subsidies and industrial leadership were withdrawn, thousands of families became trapped in a cycle of unemployment, poverty, and poor health. Between 1991 and 1996, the cost of daily necessities such as food, clothing, housing, transport, and education rose by more than 5,000 percent. By 1998, 70,000 families were estimated to be living in poverty—the majority of them led by single mothers. More than 36 percent of Mongolians live below the poverty line. More than a third of Mongolians live in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Increasing urbanization means the number of semi-slum, low-cost housing areas is growing in the city. The water and sanitation systems in these areas are inadequate, and most of the families have no access to electricity because they cannot afford to pay their bills. Problems of poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, and domestic violence also have led to an increase in the number of children forced to live on the streets. Back to top World Vision's history in MongoliaWorld Vision first established a presence in Mongolia in July 1991, when the organization provided a large container full of much-needed medical supplies to help clinics and hospitals that were facing a shortage of drugs and medicines. This effort, called the Medical Assistance Project, was initiated because of the fast spread of disease among the population. World Vision began emergency relief work in Mongolia following severe snowstorms in 1993, helping provide basic necessities such as meat, vegetables, baby food, rice, wheat flour, and medicines to more than 21,000 affected people. Approximately 263 families in the Chandman, Erdene, Tsogt, and Delger communities were also given animals through this project. In 1994, World Vision provided clothing for 164 people living in the Batsumber Elderly People’s Home, who were suffering from the brutal winter’s minus-31 degree temperatures.In May 1995, World Vision opened an office in Ulaanbaatar. That same year, 30,000 people across the country benefitted from health and medical services. Early education and health care for children under the age of four, as well as child and family development, began in the mid-1990s for more than 2,300 Mongolians. Since opening an office, World Vision’s programs have grown to assist approximately 160,000 beneficiaries. World Vision has distributed supplementary food rations to families in need every winter since 1999. Homeless families have received 139 gers, a type of tent. Children from economically disadvantaged families have been encouraged to enroll in education programs, such as secondary school, or to attend informal education programs, and 200 street children have access to health services through World Vision’s links to different health-care agencies. Back to top World Vision in Mongolia todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Although World Vision United States does not currently fund any sponsorship programs, there are more than 71,500 children sponsored by donors other countries. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. In addition, World Vision operates 32 development projects, 10 of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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