Erdenechimeg, one of hundreds of thousands of Mongolians who lead nomadic lives and depend entirely on livestock for a living, is grappling with the country's second straight dzud -- a severe winter after a dry summer.

The rare double-barreled weather phenomenon -- one of the worst on record in Mongolia -- often leads to food shortages for the livestock that generations in the landlocked, impoverished Asian nation have depended upon for survival.

More than 3.5 million animals -- cows, sheep, goats, yaks, horses and camels -- have died so far, with 60 percent of the country still buried under deep snow.

"We need cash for basic staples like flour, rice and tea," she says. "We have fewer animals to sell this summer so every little bit helps."