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After the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded in April 1986, the territory of Belarus received over 70 % of the radioactive fallout. As a result, almost 23 % of its territory were contaminated. The cost to Belarus of mitigating the consequences of the disaster over a 30-year period is estimated at US $ 235 billion. That is equivalent to 32 annual budgets as of 1995. The impact of Chernobyl still affects all aspects of life in the afflicted regions, as well in the nation as a whole.

Almost a decade and a half after the tragic disaster at Chernobyl, it has been fully confirmed that the problems caused by this event, the largest manmade disaster of the twentieth century, are complex in nature and require coordinated work by all interested parties.

The problem of rehabilitating the afflicted regions includes both issues of radiation and medical protection and solution of the demographic, social and psychological problems, the development of infrastructure and the restoration of economic potential.

The Belarusian Government is extremely concerned over the health of virtually all
categories of the population affected by the accident. Particularly disturbing is the health
status of the 494,000 children under the age of 17 living in the affected regions.

The results of medical examination of the children show that every third child exhibits deviation from the norm where the state of health is concerned. These phenomena have been intensified in one way or another by Chernobyl.

As a result, our main task was and remains maintaining the health of the population affected by the accident, further reducing the radiation risk, and creating conditions for an improvement in quality of life in the contaminated territories.

Each year, more than 10 per cent of the resources allocated under the national budget for the needs of Chernobyl are spent on solving the problems associated with medical care of the affected population and improving its members' health. Radiation medicine research institutes have been established in the major cities of Belarus, and additional hospitals and polyclinics have been built in the affected regions.

There is ample room for international cooperation in the area of assessing and reconstructing radiation doses. It should be noted that data on the doses received by the population during the initial period of an accident, i.e., when contamination levels were at their highest, are practically non-existent. In solving these problems, we need assistance from the scientists of other countries.

In selecting the project proposals, special attention was paid to the issue of joint financing of their execution. We are prepared to execute them on a cost-sharing basis, since the health of the population is one of the Government's highest priorities.

Another key point in the rehabilitation effort is in our view that of solving the problems of rehabilitation of the territories subjected to radioactive contamination. It is our hope that the project proposals put forward in this respect will be carefully studied and supported by the representatives of donor countries and international organizations and that their implementation will begin in the very near future.

According to calculations by economists, the damage afflicted on Belarus by the disaster amounts to 32 times the annual budget for the pre-accident year, or US$ 235 billion, calculated over the 30 years it will take.

The United Nations has recognized the Chernobyl explosion as a disaster both global and regional in nature, transcending boundaries and unprecedented in its radio- ecological consequences. In its resolutions, the General Assembly has assigned to the United Nations the role of catalyst and coordinator of international co-operation on Chernobyl, and requested the UN Secretary-General to maintain close contact with the Commission of the European Union and regional organizations.

During the 14 years since the Chernobyl disaster, Belarus has been gradually overcoming the consequences. However, the particular characteristics of that nuclear catastrophe will demand strenuous efforts for many years to minimize the damage to many aspects of life.

It was unanimously agreed at representative scientific conferences in 1996 that Chernobyl had long-term consequences for both human health and environment. It was repeatedly emphasized that its delayed effects call for thorough investigation by scientists all over the world. Despite the work over halt a century by the radiation Effects research Foundation, which has been examining the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, some questions remain unclear.

The main problem related to retrospective dose estimates and some aspects of the biological effects of radiation. In Belarus we arc facing chronic exposure to low radiation doses as a result of Chernobyl, so it will tale many decades to study its delayed effects. Furthermore, many criteria established for acute exposure to bomb-born radionuclides, and their migration, have proved inapplicable to the post-Chernobyl situation in the three affected countries.

The unprecedented rise in the incidence of thyroid cancer in children, primarily in Belarus, bears witness to our incomplete knowledge of the possible radiological consequences of such accidents. Belarusian oncologist have repeatedly pointed to an increase in all types of cancers since the Chernobyl disaster, but these data have not yet been recognized by the world scientific community. Further combined efforts by scientists all over the world arc needed to form an unbiased scientific picture of all tile medical, biological, ecological, social and psychological consequences office disaster.

Today, 14 years after the disaster, we are only just entering the stage in which its delayed effects are appearing. But if we wait, if we miss the moment, the health of many generations will be endangered. It is our Firm belief that in Belarus such work should be organized on a long-term basis, starting with children and those involved in the initial struggle to control the radioactive explosion.

Donors may participate in project with both single donations and ongoing support. Funds may be granted to support the international programme in general, or earmarked for special activities - i.e. to carry out selected projects, such as, for example, (diagnostics and treatment of leukemia).

Donors could contribute directly on a bilateral basis to the recipient party (ministries, non-government organizations, local communities, hospitals, schools, etc.). The national authorities concerned are expected to bear the responsibility for management and implementation of tile projects. Donors have the right to follow their own procedures and requirements, and will act in concert with the Committee on Chernobyl Consequences of Belarus ( 23 Masherov Avenue, Minsk 220004, Belarus, fax: 00375 172 22 34 39, tel.: 00375 172 27 46 78) or Department for Humanitarian Aid at the President's Office of the Republic of Belarus ( 11 Svaboda Square, Minsk, 220050, Belarus, fax: 00375 172 22 70 29, fax: 00375 172 22 70 30).

Inter-Agency Programme of International Assistance to Areas Affected by the Chernobyl Disaster