Leveraging Tradition and Science in Disaster Risk Reduction in Mongolia-2 (LTS2-Mongolia)

The project aims to improve disaster risk reduction and management in Mongolia by leveraging traditional knowledge and science. The project builds on the success of the initial LTS project, which evaluated existing disaster risk reduction and management systems, connected local communities to weather information, trained local administrations on emergency management planning, and tested an SMS information platform. The LTS project demonstrated that herders are eager for more information and better tools to support dzud preparation and risk mitigation. The LTS2 project is focused on two critical goals: establishing a national SMS platform for weather and pasture information and increasing aimag and soum-level capacity to provide training on emergency planning, preparation, and mitigation to segmented audiences within the local community. The project team has been working with MNDI, KEIO, and LEWS to determine the optimal organizational structure for sustainable delivery of forecast messages and has launched training activities. During the second quarter of 2015, the project team developed a training curriculum, created a Mongolian language translation of key Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) tools, and revised the LTS dzud best practices book. The team also conducted Training of Trainers (ToT) in four regions, mapped soum- and bagh-level location names for LEWS monitoring points, and tested the SMS application in target aimags. Additionally, 164 soum-level trainers from 69 target soums completed ToT. The project has made significant progress in establishing partnerships with local organizations and government agencies. Mercy Corps met with Mr. Ykhanbai, project coordinator for the DREAM IT program, to review their experience with local weather and pasture forecasting at the soum-level. The team also coordinated with the World Bank and its LAMP team to renew their financial support to LEWS and develop a specific sustainability and institutionalization plan. The project has also made progress in designing the SMS delivery system based on the engageSPARK (eS) platform. KEIO visited Mongolia during July 2015 and met with Mercy Corps to clarify specific tasks and develop a work plan for moving forward. The messaging system will be centered on the eS platform, which will allow for automated messages to be uploaded on a regular schedule and then distributed on-demand to end users who send a text requesting the data. Overall, the LTS2 project is making significant progress in improving disaster risk reduction and management in Mongolia by leveraging traditional knowledge and science. The project's focus on establishing a national SMS platform and increasing aimag and soum-level capacity to provide training on emergency planning, preparation, and mitigation is critical to supporting dzud preparation and risk mitigation in Mongolia.