Problems in Mongolia

            Mongolia, more known as Outer Mongolia, is located in the heart of Central Asia, between the two superpowers: Russia and China.  With the population of only 2.4 million people living in the territory of 1,566,500sq.km. After long seven decades of close ally with Soviet Union, Mongolia faced the road of democratic and political reforms and now is slowly opening up to the outside world.  As they do so, many problems occurred that are waiting them to solve.

            Air pollution, one of the problems needs to be solved on industrialized countries now has turned up in Mongolia.  In Mongolia there are more than 51,000 motor vehicles in use.  The Ulan Bator Transport Office and the Electron cum-Machine Research Company measured carbon monoxide, carbon, and carbon dioxide in Ulan Bator.  On the strength of these they have found that we do not know we eat 120kg of poisonous substances a year.  68,800 tons of poisonous substances are produced into atmosphere by motor vehicles in Ulan Bator, and this pollutes over 40% of the Ulan Bator air.

            Mongolian Government has won international praise for its commitment to economic reform and its success at reining in inflation.  However, the average inflation rate in 1999 rose to 7.6%, mainly due to the affects of fuel shortages caused by a Russian ban on oil exports.  The government realized that international assistance is not a firm basis for running an economy, they should draw the majority of foreign support in the form of loans rather than grant aid.  As a result, foreign investment laws are exceptionally liberal, with no obstacles to foreign ownership in almost all sectors and no obstruction of profit repatriation.

            Mental health problems are on the rise in Mongolia.  There has been more people in Mongolia where the suicide rate has risen sharply over the past decade.  Suicide rates have been increasing among adolescents, because of the loss of a social safety net and years of economical difficulties have taken a toll on people’s health.  In time, alcoholism and drug abuse have also been on the rise.  This wave of psychiatric problems has put a great strain on a Mongolian health system.  Lack of psychiatric beds, essential drugs for psychiatric treatment, and community-based services have further worsened the situation.

            In conclusion, there are no perfect countries with perfect citizens, it’s no surprise to see a country with such harsh problems.  Of course, there is a solution to every question.  We would all hope the solution would come as soon as possible to wipe out the problem.  And I hope there won’t be any problems at all.

                                                                                    By: Steven Jiang