Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, April 6: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan government-in-exile, has issued an urgent humanitarian appeal for emergency assistance following a devastating snowstorm that severely impacted Tibetan nomadic families in the Jangthang region of Ladakh, near the Indo-Tibetan border.
The Sonamling Tibetan Settlement, which administers the Jangthang area—home to a significant population of Tibetan nomads residing along the Tibet-Ladakh border—reported widespread losses due to the extreme weather conditions. These high-altitude pastoral communities, which depend almost entirely on livestock such as goats, sheep, yaks, and dri (female yaks), have been left in dire situation as the snowstorm led to the death of thousands of their animals, which are vital for both sustenance and the preservation of their traditional culture.
According to the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC), an agency under the CTA’s Department of Home, the calamity resulted in the loss of approximately 4,140 livestock, affecting more than 240 families. The announcement was made via tibet.net, the CTA’s official online portal.
“This loss is not just a number—it is a severe blow to their livelihood, culture, and way of life,” the appeal stated.” Living in one of the most inhospitable environments, these families now face immense hardship. The loss of livestock has taken away their main source of income from wool and dairy products and drastically reduced their daily sustenance. This disaster threatens their immediate health, safety, and the continuity of their traditional way of life.”
The Tibetan refugee inhabitants in the Jangthang region of Ladakh are dependent solely on livestock as a means for their livelihood. However, due to harsh living conditions and frigid temperatures, especially in winter, has meant that their sustenance has become increasingly vulnerable and at the mercy of changing global climate.
In light of this crisis, the CTRC has initiated a global crowdfunding campaign aimed at delivering urgent aid to the affected families. The appeal calls upon Tibetans in exile and supporters worldwide to demonstrate solidarity by contributing through their local Tibetan settlement offices or the nearest Office of Tibet.
Moreover, the CTA has encouraged widespread dissemination of the appeal via social media and community networks, stressing that the campaign is not solely a fundraising initiative but a collective call for compassion, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity.
