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You think this is cold?

By Sarah Oughton
January 8, 2010 at 3:11 pm

Well shiver me timbers can you believe this Mongolian-stylie cold-snap is still going on?!

I was visiting a friend in Brighton over the festive period and she lives on a hill that was completely covered in ice – it was a death trap for cars and even walking on it was impossible – as my sore behind can attest to! Honestly, it was so scary walking on the ice (not helped by my new cute but impractical suede and tassel ankle boots) I didn’t want to leave the house.

Woman in ger tentIt made me think – if I felt like this, what on earth is it like for elderly and other vulnerable people?

While the UK has been thrown into chaos by the snow and ice – and our volunteers are doing a fantastic job supporting the ambulance service – this is just a wee taste of what a real Mongolia winter feels like.

Last night, a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands experienced the coldest night of the winter in the UK, dropping to -22C. In Mongolia, today it’s a pretty typical -30C.

In these conditions, having a shelter and access to fuel is a matter of life and death.

The Mongolian Red Cross social care programme, led by local volunteers, is improving the living, health and psychosocial conditions of very vulnerable elderly, disabled and single-headed households living in and around the capital Ulan Bator.

One of the people the Red Cross is helping is Mrs Dolgorsuren (74), who lives on the edge of a district of ‘gers’ – traditional felt tents – with a view of a disused coal mine.

A volunteer comes every ten days and gives her therapeutic massage, as well as helping collect firewood and dung for fuel.

Mrs Dolgursuren says: “It’s not only the practical help but also the friendship which really makes a difference, having someone to talk to stops me feeling so lonely.”

Visit our website to find out more about the people we’re helping in Mongolia.

Image © Greg Rose/BRC


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