38th anniversary of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

On April 26, 1986, the whole world was shocked by a terrible tragedy: explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the northern part of Ukraine (then part of the USSR). That accident became the largest man-made disaster in the history of nuclear energy. As a result of the explosion, large volumes of radioactive substances were released into the atmosphere, which then spread throughout the western part of the USSR and parts of Europe. Radioactive contamination forever changed the lives of millions of people, and the consequences of this disaster are still felt today.

For Belarus, the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is of particular importance. A significant part of the territory suffered from the consequences of the accident, which led to the displacement and disruption of the normal way of life of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians.

Since 1990, five state programs have been implemented in Belarus to overcome the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. About 19.3 billion US dollars were allocated from the state budget.

The Chernobyl disaster caused a wave of solidarity and readiness to provide support to the affected regions of the Republic of Belarus in many foreign countries. Hundreds of Chernobyl initiatives from various countries around the world have made a significant contribution to overcoming its consequences, including through sending humanitarian aid and improving the health of Belarusian children. Cooperation in this area continues.

Belarus is grateful to international partners who did not remain indifferent to the suffering of people in the contaminated Belarusian territories and provided all possible assistance.

Symbolic was the decision by the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly to designate 26 April as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day, which was supported by 60 Member States.

A lot of work has been done in Belarus, but much remains to be done. It is important that the state moves from eliminating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident to sustainable socio-economic development of the affected regions. The 6th State Program for Overcoming the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster for 2021–2025 provides for the implementation of five tasks:

– provision of social protection, medical care, sanatorium and resort treatment and rehabilitation of the affected population;

– ensuring radiation protection and targeted application of protective measures;

– promoting socio-economic development of the affected regions;

– improving the organization of sanatorium-resort treatment and health improvement for children living or studying in the radioactive contamination area;

– conducting scientific research and information work.

Addressing the long-term consequences of the Chernobyl accident requires a major national effort and formation of new partnerships to promote sustainable development, innovation and investment.

Belarus counts on further support from the United Nations agencies and the UN Member States, as well as private investors in solving the government tasks to ensure sustainable development of the affected territories and the people inhabiting them.

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