Leaving No One Behind: Reaching Out to the Most Unreached Ethnic Minorities

On August 1st, UN Resident Coordinator Tapan Mishra embarked on a challenging three-day journey, which included a seven-hour horseback ride, to reach the Tsaatan people—reindeer herders living in Mongolia's mountainous taiga region in the north. He was determined to meet the Tsaatan people to experience their livelihoods, understand their challenges, and listen to their aspirations.

Mr. Mishra engaged in meaningful discussions with the Tsaatan communities in the Mengebulag area of the western Taiga in Tsagaannuur soum, Khuvsgul aimag. The reindeer herders openly voiced their concerns and challenges. While they take great pride in their unique culture and traditions, which they strive to preserve and pass on to future generations, they face significant challenges.

Living 30 km from the nearest settlement, their most pressing issue is access to health services. Mr. B. Naranjargal, the host of the Resident Coordinator, mentioned that it would take at least a day or two to get a doctor to their camp in case of a medical emergency. Furthermore, there is no digital connectivity to contact services in the valley.

Mrs. B. Bolormaa shared her dream of providing her children with quality education in the soum center, which boasts fully-equipped learning facilities and a comfortable dormitory. However, soum governor B. Tseren-Ochir highlighted that the soum school building, constructed by local craftsmen in 2000, is far from meeting standard school facility requirements. The school dormitory’s heating system is non-functional during the harsh winters when temperatures drop to -40°C, forcing young children to use outdoor pit latrines.

The UN Resident Coordinator emphasized the urgent need to address the heating system to create a better environment for the Tsaatan and Darkhad herders’ children in the dormitory, ensuring their right to quality education. 

While in Taiga, Mr. Mishra observed the significant economic potential for the Tsaatan people through well-managed sustainable eco-culture tourism.

"The entire Taiga region, with its pristine nature, diverse wildlife, and unique reindeer-raising nomads, is an attractive sustainable tourism product that, if well-organized and supported, can bring substantial development benefits to the people in this region," said Mr. Mishra.

In addition, other challenges like water, sanitiation and hygiene, balanced diet and nutrition supported by effective food systems, as well as waste management to protect the environment also need to be given due attention and importance. 

He further stressed the importance and urgency of improving their livelihoods through the provision of services and development opportunities, leveraging science, technology innovations, and digital connectivity. 

"As the UN, we are here to understand how to support the Tsaatan people in joining the journey of sustainable and inclusive development, ensuring their human rights are protected and that we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Mongolia, leaving no one behind," emphasized Mr. Mishra.