UNICEF Launches Project To Improve Sanitation And Hygiene In Flood Vulnerable Areas

The launch event was under the joint leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mongolia, UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia and UNICEF Representative to Mongolia.

In attendance were high-level government officials including Vice Minister of Environment and Tourism, Member of the Parliament of Mongolia, Chief of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), senior government officials, as well as representatives from the diplomatic community, UN agencies, government agencies and private sector. This diverse representation highlights the broad support and collaborative effort towards improving public health in flood vulnerable communities.

Over the past decade, Mongolia has experienced a 1.5-fold increase in natural disasters, primarily due to climate change. The situation is exacerbated by poorly planned urban construction and blockage of watersheds, which slow water drainage due to the lack of proper drainage facilities in cities. In July last year, a flood impacted 128,100 people across 31,600 households, causing power and water outages in over a thousand buildings, damaging more than 20 roads, and severely limiting access to basic services for children and families. The flood also heightened the risk of infectious and waterborne diseases due to overflowing pit latrines and inadequate hygiene practices.

In Mongolia, 82.5% of households have access to “at least basic” drinking water services. However, only 30% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water services, which is an improved water source accessible on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. On the other hand, the increased frequency of flooding during the last few years has caused an extra burden for many households living in flood-prone areas.

In response to this situation, UNICEF is launching a project, funded by the Government of Japan, with the main objective of improving access to WASH services in flood-prone communities in 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar city. The project’s main objectives include:

1. 18 WASH facilities with sanitation system constructed in flood prone areas
2. Procurement of 3 heavy duty water pump for NEMA
3. Strengthening capacity of health and education professionals and overall operation of the NEMA and State Emergency Committee under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for the nationwide systematic emergency response coordination