Mongolia – Urbanisation & Effects

Mongolia’s rapid urbanisation is having a profound effect on the capital Ulaan Baatar.

Over one million people, about 40% of the population, now live in UB. New people arrive everyday from the countryside seeking a better future and the impoverished Gher District is expanding higher into the hills.

Most of these outlying areas have no electricity or water and are incredibly cold in the winter.

Over a third of the country already live below the poverty line and the living conditions of the most vulnerable have declined considerably in recent years. Pollution, alcoholism, domestic violence and street children are just a few visible effects of this mass migration.

Pictures shot on assignment for Amnesty as part of the Jersey Human Rights Festival.