Russian rescuers to help Mongolia deal with foot-and-mouth disease

A team of Russian rescuers are leaving for Biysk, Siberia, to purchase mixed fodder and send it to Mongolia, something which will be part of an international humanitarian action, according to the Russian emergencies ministry's press service. Engaged in the humanitarian action aiming to provide aid to Mongolia's provinces struggling to contain foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is Russia's emergencies ministry and the Swiss agency for cooperation and development. The first humanitarian convoy of 20 KAMAZ trucks is expected to leave Biysk and Gornoaltaisk, Siberia, as early as on April 20. The first stage of the action envisages delivery of a total of 1,000 tons of fodder to Mongolia's cities of Erdenet and Ulaangom. Helicopters and a Russian emergencies ministry auto-convoy will then carry part of the fodder further to remote western provinces of the country. Should this stage of the action be a success, the amount of fodder to be supplied may be boosted up to 3,000 tons, said Deputy Emergencies Minister Yury Brazhnikov. Apart from that, the ministry's Il-76 plane will bring medicines, foods, blankets and vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease to Mongolia's capital city. "Many of Russia's constituent republics are eager to help the Mongolian provinces, particularly Buryatia. This republic is going to send neighbouring Mongolia aid worth 1.5 million roubles", said Brazhnikov.

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