Mongolia is freezing through its harshest winter in 50 years with extreme conditions killing over 4.7 million animals.

The International Federation of the Red Cross the situation has posed serious threats to the livelihoods and food supply of thousands of families.

Dzud conditions

Dzud is known for severe conditions predominantly plunged temperatures and deep snow and ice that blanket grazing areas and cut off access to food for livestock.

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Nomadic herders in Mangolia

About 300,000 people in Mongolia are traditional nomadic herders and depend on their cattle, goats and horses for food and to sell at market.

Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, told CNN Thursday, “For those people who are totally dependent on their livestock to survive, they have become destitute in just a few months. Some of them are now no longer able to feed themselves or heat their homes.”

Since November, at least 2,250 herder families have lost more than 70% of their livestock, according to the IFRC and over 7,000 families now lack access to adequate food.

The dzud has affected three-quarters of the country but conditions are expected to worsen as winter continues.