Mongolians Homeless Seek Shelter In Sewers

ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA - MARCH 13: Erdenetsetseg, 36, rests on a water pipe she uses as her bed in the garbage filled sewer where she lives March 13, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. Erdenetsetseg moved to the capitol city from a province five years ago, without work she collects cans and bottles to make enough money to buy a little food and her daily fix of vodka. After 70 years of communist rule ended in 1990, Mongolia has become one of the most pro-business countries. While economic reforms have brought prosperity to Ulaan Baatar, there still widespread unemployment, as some used to work in the now defunct state industries. Approximately 35% of Mongolians live below the poverty line, with many unable to buy basic food needed to survive. Social problems include depression, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and crime. For the homeless during the winter this means extreme hardship, with some homeless living in the sewers for warmth. Temperatures that can drop as low as -25C mid- winter, and this year the country has experienced the worst winter in 30 years. Mongolia suffers with a very high number of alcoholics, with many consuming cheap Mongolian vodka that is readily available, and many have immigrated to the capitol city from the far away provinces to seek employment. Presently the government has declared an emergency requiring foreign aid to alleviate the impact of the "Zud", a Mongolian term for multiple natural disasters, caused by bitter cold and thick snow that has effected 68% of the provinces. (Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)