Mongolian Herder Veterinarian Training

Mongolian herders live a mobile, livestock-centered life across the vast steppe and mountainous terrain. However, long distances to clinics, harsh winters (dzud), and seasonal migrations significantly increase the risk of injuries, hypothermia, and delays in medical treatment. Common health issues include cuts and lacerations from animal handling, sprains, cooking burns in the gers, infections, and complications from untreated wounds. While neighbors frequently act as first responders, a persistent lack of basic medical supplies hampers effective emergency care.

To address this gap, we organized a targeted donation of first aid kits, delivering essential medical supplies directly to households across three aimags. This initiative aimed to improve immediate care for common injuries and illnesses, reduce preventable complications, and strengthen community resilience where access to formal healthcare is severely limited by distance and extreme weather.

The distribution was carried out in close collaboration with local soum community leaders. Our team visited remote households and packed gers to hand-deliver the supplies. By combining a targeted donation program with local partnerships and ongoing support, this initiative builds long-term resilience across Mongolia’s herding communities. It reduces preventable suffering, protects livelihoods, and honors the independence and knowledge of those who steward the land. With modest investment and thoughtful design, these first aid kits become much more than boxes—they serve as a practical bridge between remote families and better health.

We want to thank Deseret International Charities for providing the first aid kits, as well as all of our supporters for the generous donations that made this happen! Your support is directly improving the health, safety, and well-being of these resilient families on the steppe. Thank you for making a lasting difference.

In many of the remote areas we serve, professional medical assistance can be hours or even days away. In these critical moments, a neighbor or family member is often the first line of defense. That is why our initiative focuses not only on providing supplies but also on empowering individuals with the skills to use them effectively.

The medical team conducted a comprehensive First Aid Training workshop for more than 363 herding families in Tov province. Under the guidance of medical professionals, participants learned life-saving techniques, including CPR, wound dressing, fracture stabilization, and hypothermia management.

However, knowledge requires tools. After the training, we distributed first aid kits to every participant. These kits are stocked with bandages, antiseptics, splints, and essential medications tailored to the specific health risks of the region.

By combining hands on education with essential resources, we are transforming herders into capable first responders, ensuring that help is always nearby.

In the vast countryside of Mongolia, local "Sum" hospitals serve as a lifeline for herders and their families. However, these facilities often lack the necessary supplies to manage complex medical cases. Our program team of medics made a vital visit to the local hospital to strengthen our partnership with healthcare providers. During the visit, the medics met with hospital administrators and doctors to discuss current challenges and patient needs. To immediately enhance the hospital's capacity, the medics returned to Ulaanbaatar to retrieve equipment from their internal medical stock. The dedication and compassion demonstrated by our program’s medics were truly remarkable.