Mongolians Homeless Seek Shelter In Sewers

ULAAN BAATAR, MONGOLIA - MARCH 15 : Baigalnaa ,39, sits along side his son Munkhorgil, 18 months old while he sits on a baby toilet seat inside the small sewer wher the family lives March 15, 2010 in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. The family have been living underneath the street in their sewer for 5 years both working 9 hours a day barely making enough money to survive. Since 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 is still widespread unemployment, some used to work in the now defunct state industries. Approximately over 35% of Mongolians live below the poverty line, many unable to buy basic food needed to survive. Social problems include depression, alcohol abuse, domestic violence and crime. Mongolia suffers with a very high number of alcoholics, all consuming cheap Mongolian vodka that is readily available to the poor and the unemployed. Many Mongolians have migrated to the capitol city from the far away provinces seeking employment. For the homeless during the winter this means extreme hardship, for some homeless living in the sewers means warmth verses dealing with temperatures dropping as low as -25C mid- Winter. This year Mongolia has experienced the worst winter in 30 years. (Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)