In an attempt to prevent the spread of disease via 2 million livestock that have died in extreme cold weather, the U.N. is now paying 60,000 Mongolian herders to clear and bury the carcasses.

“While immediate needs of food, shelter, heating, and health care must be met, this approach would prevent the spread of diseases and also help herders to feed their families during the dzud,” said a U.N. representative in Mongolia in a press release.

Besides providing 300,000 usd in funding, the U.N. says there will be a focus on restoring livelihoods and strengthening disaster preparedness.

With temperatures as low as -50 degrees in Mongolia the total number of livestock expected to freeze to death will reach up to 6 million by June this year.