of winter; however, by May 2010, the United Nations reported that eight million, or about 17% of the country's entire livestock, had died. In the winter of 2015–2016, extreme temperatures were again recorded and the previous summer's drought led to insufficient hay fodder reserves for many herders, which caused another ongoing loss of livestock. Social consequences Some herders who lose all of their animals to zud have to seek a new life in the cities. Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, is surrounded by clusters of wooden houses without roads, water or sewage systems. Lacking in education and skills to survive in an urban environment, many displaced herders cannot find work and become extremely poor, may become addicted to alcohol, and may commit crime. Others risk their lives in dangerous illegal mining jobs. Notes References Zud Natural Disaster, Prevention and Recovery by Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia Environment of Mongolia Weather hazards Environment of Kazakhstan Environment of Kyrgyzstan Natural disasters in Asia