United Nations Appeal for
APRIL 1999
United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IntroductionThe accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986 represents a disaster unprecedented in modern history and still adversely affects the lives of millions of people in the three most affected countries, Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The explosion blew open the Chernobyl reactor No. 4 releasing 50 million curies of radioactive isotopes into the environment, over the following two weeks. The radioactive material was widely dispersed to the atmosphere and deposited onto the surface of the earth. It was measurable over practically the entire northern hemisphere. Radioactivity released was 200 times larger than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
The areas of the surrounding territories of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation in which activity levels of 137 Cs. in excess of 185 Kbq/m2 were measured, were estimated at 16,500 Km2, 8,100 Km2 and 4,600 Km2 respectively. 7,1 million residents of contaminated territories required special health care. In total 600.000 so-called liquidators, who participated in rescue and relief operations, received dangerous radiation doses and have to be continuously treated in the three countries. In some areas, such as the Gomel region in Belarus, the thyroid cancer incidence is 100 times higher than before the accident, in particular, affecting children.
The consequences of the accident refuse to fade into history. For example, the radioactive isotopes of caesium have a radiological impact during several decades. It is estimated that the 137 Cs will not disappear in the impacted area before the year 2016. The humanitarian catastrophe is by no means over. Consequently the main UN Chernobyl programmes must be maintained.
Even twelve years after the Chernobyl disaster, the situation in the three affected countries - Belarus, Russia, Ukraine - is still alarming and calling for continued assistance by the international community. In the field of humanitarian aid, serious concerns about cancer attributable to the accident still remain. There is a need for continuous detection and monitoring efforts. This situation may persist, according to the advice of experts, for several decades. Important questions remain open with regard to human health effects of radiation. Thus, research into the biological effects of radiation must continue, including research on consequences for parents contaminated during and after the accident and their children. The frequency of "in utero" disturbances is increasing. The groups of children and liquidators, in all three countries, require a particular sensitive attention. The socio-psychological impact of the accident for the population has been underlined in all international Chernobyl conferences; it may persist for a long period. Health problems, the degrading of the economic situations, general social problems of the families relocated or still living in contaminated regions, may prolong the symptoms. Environmental problems, such as the re-use of contaminated forests, control of contaminated food, water contamination and decontamination of territories, require high attention. The economic rehabilitation of the areas affected by the accident, is a further important goal. Also, the negative public perception of the information supplied on the present and future impact of the accident calls for a new information strategy.
These problematic sectors were taken into consideration when the projects defined in this new "Appeal for the International Cooperation on Chernobyl "were suggested. They are extracted and resumed in the special list of priority projects which the governments of the three affected countries have proposed to consider for immediate funding (Annex).
Despite strenuous and dedicated efforts of governments and international support extended through UN, bilateral channels, EBRD and NGOs, much still remains to be done to address properly the longer term and multifaceted impacts of the Chernobyl disaster. It is also clear that the magnitude of the task much exceeds the capacities of the Governments concerned, severely weakened by economic difficulties, to allocate funds required to cope effectively with the outstanding problems.
The GA resolution 52/172 dated 18 February 1998 recalled the long-term nature of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant requiring for their solution wide and active international cooperation and coordination of efforts in this field at the international and national levels and expressed concern about the ongoing effects on the lives and health of people, in particular children, in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
In this context, a series of UN General Assembly Resolutions have reaffirmed the continuing need for international assistance to the affected population and assigned to the Emergency Relief Coordinator the additional function of UN Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl.
The GA resolution 52/172 dated 18 February 1998 recalled the long-term nature of the consequences of the disaster requiring wide and active international cooperation and coordination of efforts at the international and national levels, and expressed concern about the ongoing effects on the lives and health of people, in particular children, in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
The same GA resolution invited States, in particular donor States, relevant multilateral financial institutions and other concerned parties of the international community to continue to provide support to the ongoing efforts made by Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is acting as an expeditious channel for donor contributions towards the international cooperation on Chernobyl. For this purpose a dedicated "Chernobyl Trust Fund" is being administered by OCHA. Contributions channelled through this Trust Fund are being used to cover priority needs identified in close consultations with the Governments of the affected countries and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl.
The Chernobyl Desk, located in OCHA Geneva, supports the UN Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl in discharging his responsibilities with respect to the international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimise the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. This cooperation is coordinated through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl, chaired by OCHA. The members of the Task Force come from Agencies of the UN system, other international organisations and NGOs.
Belarus was one of the most contaminated of the three countries. Over 1.4 million ha of prime agriculture land and about 20 per cent of the forest were contaminated by radionuclides (mostly Cs - 137 and Sr- 90). Large numbers of the people were resettled from the affected territories. These facts led to major socio-economic problems in the region, to psychological problems of the victims resettled or still located in contaminated regions, and to severe health problems of the population such as leukemia, lymphomas and thyroid diseases.
The national authorities were required to carry out a complex programme of measures to alleviate the aftermath of this disaster and, therefore, allocated important financial and material resources. The national expenditures for this programme amounted to:
- from 1986 - 1989 : 1.118 billion Soviet roubles annually (equal to US$ 1.865 billion);
- in 1990: 1.73 billion Soviet roubles (2.95 billion US$)
(these amounts represent 21.2 per cent of the budget of Belarus in 1990, and 22.3 per cent in 1991)
- in 1992 - 1996 : US$ 1.1 billion annually
- in 1997 - 1998 : US$ 800 million annually.
In particular, in the year 1998 the above amount was spent for the implementation of the Law on Social Protection of citizens affected by the catastrophe covering health care, free nutrition to children in the contaminated areas and compensation measures for the affected population, as well as capital investments and scientific and protective measures in agricultural and industrial fields. In addition, considerable local contributions were made by private enterprises and public organisations.
people, have been contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. More than 250 000 Russian Citizens took part in the relief actions after the accident, and 46 000 of those have become disabled persons. The Russian Federation has promulgated a Law "On Social Protection of Citizens exposed to Radiation as a Result of the Chernobyl Disaster", in 1991. Federal programmes have been implemented, based on this Law: "Unified State Programme on Russian Population Protection", " Housing for Liquidators", "Children of Chernobyl".
Since 1992 Russia has spent more than 6 billion US dollars to resolve Chernobyl problems. More than 2 million square metres of housing, schools for twenty thousand and kindergartens for four thousand children, hospitals for two thousand persons, clinics for six thousand visits per day, cultural institutions for three thousand six hundred seats, more than 1 thousand five hundred kilometres of gas pipelines, more than 500 kilometres of roads etc. have been constructed.
About 57, 000km2 of the Russian territory, covering a population of 2.7 million, have been contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl disaster. More than 250 000 Russian citizens took part in the relief actions after the accident, 46 000 of whom have become disabled. The Russian Federation promulgated in 1991 a Law "On Social Protection of Citizens exposed to Radiation as a Result of the Chernobyl Disaster". Federal programmes have been implemented, based on this Law: "Unified State Programme on Russian Population Protection", " Housing for Liquidators" and "Children of Chernobyl".
Since 1992 Russia has spent more than US$ 6 billion to resolve Chernobyl problems. More than 2 million square metres of housing, schools for 20.000 and kindergartens for 4000 children, hospitals for 2000 persons, clinics for six thousand visits per day, cultural institutions for 3,600 seats, more than 1,500 km of gas pipelines, more than 500 kilometres of roads etc. have been constructed. 8,628 families of recovery workers got better apartments. More than 20 per cent of the total sum was spent for prevention and curing radiation-induced children and teenagers. The programme of joint measures on liquidation of disaster consequences has been developed within the framework of the Russia-Belarus Union. Construction and equiping of the All-Russian Centre of Ecological and Radiological Medicine in Saint-Petersburg, and reconstruction of the Radiological Centre in Obninsk are planned by this programme. The authorities are planning to introduce modern technologies for production of foodstuffs with preventive and therapeutic features, reduction of radionuclides in products, technologies for use of forests on contaminated territories. Only 50 million roubles are planned for the programme in 1998, due to the sharp reductions in the national budgets. This means a reduction of 60-70 percent of the amounts needed.
During the first five years after the catastrophe (before September 1991), the global consequences of Chernobyl were addressed through large-scale programmes that were financed from the budget of the former USSR. After obtaining independence by the countries and deepening of the economic crises, it became obvious that consequences of Chernobyl could not be liquidated, only mitigated.
Since September 1991 funding was included in the budget of Ukraine. The main source of financing is a Special Fund for Measures on Liquidation of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe and Social Protection of the Population (hereinafter referred to as "Fund").
This Fund was created according to the decision of the Parliament of Ukraine of 20 December 1991 as a part of the State budget. Resources are allocated through taxation. Following the above-mentioned law, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a decision, on 30 March 1998, entitled "On Approving the Procedure of Reckoning Resources to the Fund for Measures on Liquidation of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe and Social Protection of the Population".
According to the National Programme on minimisation of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe and social protection of the population, the State Budget foresees financing of special activities up to the year 2000, such as: Social Protection of the Population affected by the accident; State Capital Investment; Relocation of people; Works in the alienation zone; Complex Medical Sanitory Provisions; Ecological Rehabilitation and Protection of polluted areas.
The need for funds for 1997 was established at UAH 5,681.7 million. Allocations for 1997 make 62.5 per cent of the allocation planned and only 27.6 per cent of the actual need.
It was planned to provide for post-Chernobyl activities UAH 2,606 million from the State budget of Ukraine for 1998, or 57,3 per cent of the needed sums; and for social security - 1,953.5 million UAH or 56.2 per cent. The factual appropriation of funds for 10 months of 1998 comprises 1,164.8 million UAH or 44.7 per cent of annual planned dispositions.
From contributions received in the UN Chernobyl Fund (which is administered by OCHA) the following projects have been financed, since 1997, under arrangements concluded with executive agencies, or are under preparation:
In addition, it should be noted that the Chernobyl Desk was involved in negotiating a contribution by the Netherlands Government of US$ 270,000 which was transferred to the IFRC to support the implemention of a large project in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine concerning the purchase of milk powder and multi-vitamins for children and teenagers in Chernobyl affected areas.
Similarly, the Chernobyl Desk supported an IFRC request presented to the European Commission (ECHO), for the funding of equipment to be installed in the Institute of Radiation Medicine at Aksakovshina (Minsk District, Belarus); funds requested: ca US$ 300,000. This request is still under evaluation by ECHO.
As agreed with the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl, the Governments of the three affected countries have defined a certain number of priority projects, for which external funding and assistance are urgently required. Their titles and summary descriptions are given below:
BELARUS
Modernization of the Bragin Hospital, Gomel region. Project code: Health/BEL 03/97.
Duration: 3 years. (The project would be executed in cooperation with WHO.)
Purpose: The hospital in Bragin serves about 20,000 people living in the district affected by the Chernobyl accident. It is one of the hospitals most involved in diagnostics and treatment of this population. It needs to be refurbished and modernized; in particular it can no longer comply with sanitary norms. In order that it may fulfil its tasks, new equipment is required.
Assistance Specialized equipment is required (e.g. X-ray apparatus, mobile ultrasound required: equipment, equipment for anaesthesia, determination of electrolytes in blood, reanimation, coagulometer, haematological analyzer, etc.)
The total financial assistance required amounts to US$ 2 million. The national authorities will provide funds for refurbishment, staff cost and cost of local enterprises (estimated at 208 billion Belarus roubles).
Establishment of children rehabilitation centres’ network in Belarus, in clean areas. Project code: Socio-psych/BEL08/97, Annex I.
Duration: 2 years
Purpose: There are no networks of exclusive rehabilitation centres for the children affected by radiation as a result of the Chernobyl accident. By now there are several general rehabilitation establishments built on clean territories as well as at the premises of the former military sites in Belarus. Six centres out of 12 are already in operation. However, because of the lack of financial resources, the provision of equipment to children rehabilitation centres was not made. The project is directly aimed at equipping the centres, improvement of qualification of medical personnel, education of pedagogical and psychological personnel in the area of work with children and teenagers, in conditions of rehabilitation establishments, education of social workers.
Assistance Medical and diagnostic equipment, school equipment, sport training
required: facilities, office equipment; sets of material, visual aids, etc. for the socio-psychological rehabilitation of the affected children; development of rehabilitation methods for different groups of population; training of personnel. Estimated cost: US$ 600,000. National contribution; construction work estimated US$ 216,140, and annual operational cost including staff - US$ 1.5 million.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
UKRAINE
It should be noted that requirements for International Cooperation on Chernobyl, like a consolidated appeal, are not part of OCHA’s core budget.
Radio-ecological rehabilitation of specific areas in Gomel oblast for creation of conditions for sustainable development of affected territories - Decontamination of places often visited by children and adults. Project code: Env/BEL09/97 - Annex I.
Duration: 3 years
Purpose: As a result of the Chernobyl NPP accident, more than 70 per cent of the territory of the Gomel oblast was subjected to radioactive contamination. Rehabilitation of contaminated territories is a necessary condition for residing there. Thus the priority should be given to decontamination of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, since decontamination is the most justified measure to be taken on the contaminated territories of the Gomel oblast. In spite of the fact that this work has been carried out for more than 5 years, the work on decontamination is urgent, as it is the main measure to reduce doses from external exposure. More cost-effective decontamination of kindergartens, schools, hospitals demands the use of small -size equipment, and technologies available in similar organizations of western countries.
Assistance: Special small-size equipment and devices, special protective wear (uniform)
required: for personnel, personnel training. Total estimated cost: US$ 400,000. National contribution: Personnel, maintenance of equipment and devices for decontamination, practical decontamination work.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Supply of four production lines (aseptic) for measuring and packing of dairy products for the Bryansk Region. Project code: Economy/RUS 08/97.
Duration: 1 year
Purpose: To organise output of foodstuff such as baby food, milk, milk products, juice and marmalade with vitamin additions which increases immunity towards radiation influence of the affected population. The products will be distributed in children’s establishments, schools and hospitals, in the most contaminated Bryansk region of Russia.
Assistance: US$ 600,000 (US$ 150,000 per production line). National contribution:
required: renovation of the buildings, communication, service cost, staff.
Ultrasound screening of 100,000 children exposed to Chernobyl radiation, for early diagnostics of thyroid pathology. (Part of Project Health/RUS 04/97).
Duration: 3 years
Purpose: Examination of 100,000 children in contaminated regions (Kaluga, Tula, Oryol, Bryansk etc.) - Training of 30 specialists in ultrasound diagnostics of thyroid diseases - Treatment of children with thyroid cancer revealed.
Assistance: US$ 1.200,000 for ultrasound diagnostic devices, transport means, training
required: etc. National contribution:150,000,000 rubles.
Support to and further development of the network of centersforocialndpsychological rehabilitation of the Chernobyl affected population and liquidators (new proposal).
Duration: 2 years
Purpose: To support and further develop the system of community centers for social and psychological rehabilitation of people affected by the Chernobyl disaster, which was established in 1994 - 1996 under the umbrella of the UNESCO-Chernobyl Programme and partly sponsored by EMERCOM of Russia. In addition to the centres operating in 4 regions of Russia, a new national centre shall be created in Moscow to provide social and legal help to liquidators and affected people from other regions of the country, to act as a training base for the staff of all the centres in Russia, and to ensure communication with the international community through INTERNET.
Assistance: Total: US$ 700,000 (US$ 500,000 for the creation of a new centre in Moscow
required: and networking, and US$ 200,000 for support and extension of social work activities). National contribution: - 6,000,000 rubles.
UKRAINE
International programme on the Health Effects of the Chernobyl Accident (IPHECA - Second Phase). Project code: Health/UKR 01/97.
Duration: 5 years (the project would be executed by WHO).
Purpose: The project’s primary purpose for Ukraine is to strengthen and better coordinate efforts for providing diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of liquidators registered in Ukraine. Secondly, the project shall create the basis for research on health effects by the systematic acquisition and handling of data derived from health-care programmes and outside sources.
Assistance: Special equipment; provision of chemical and reagents; training of specialists.
required: Cost estimate: US$ 2,5 million (US$ 500,000 per year). The national authorities are to provide the management of clinical and diagnostic evaluation, of a health status of liquidators, the equipment, staff cost, publication of results.
Development of Forest Rehabilitation Technologies for the Territories Contaminated after the Chernobyl Accident (new proposal)
Duration: 4 years
Purpose: 3,5 million hectares of Ukrainian forests are contaminated with radionuclides as a result of Chernobyl accident. The project will improve management and sustainable use of contaminated forests in Ukraine, and contribute to the stabilization of the general ecological situation in the zone affected by the Chernobyl accident. Through the preparation of a long-term management strategy and the application of modern ecological and radiation-safe technologies increased safety of forest production and reduction of the doze load on people working in forest industry will be achieved.
Assistance:
required: US$ 1,3 million for the creation of safe forest use technologies, study on migration of Cesium - 137 and Stroncium - 90 in forest ecosystems, development of the pilot project, training of personnel, preparation of the necessary normative documents and publication of the recommendations on rehabilitation of contaminated forests. National contribution: US$ 800,000; services of national experts for research and development of technologies; radiation monitoring, maintenance of equipment and forest fire prevention means.
Estimation of health consequences in parents affected by radiation, and health status of their posterity; development of measures to reduce risks of adverse effects in the first born generation. Project code: Health/UKR 02/97.
Duration: 3 years (the project will be executed in cooperation with WHO). Results of work started by the E.U. will be taken into account.
Purpose: To estimate parameters of physical and neuropsychical development in children of liquidators including those who developed acute radiation syndromes;
To characterize the functional status of organs and systems (genetic apparatus, immune haemopoietic, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive systems) in children of irradiated parents;
To compare data on the health status of children and their parents.
To develop a system of rehabilitative measures to lower the risks of adverse health effects, etc.
Assistance: Purchase of the equipment: light microscope type "Optiphot"; one personal required computer with printer; reagents and other materials for research; training of specialists, field work. Estimated cost over three years: US$ 210,000.
The National authorities will provide all facilities/premises, equipment as necessary, staff and expert costs.
Note:
The project codes are those referred to in the "Inter-agency programme of International Assistance to Areas Affected by the Chernobyl Disaster"
This Document Is Also Available on http://www.reliefweb.int
For More Detailed Information Concerning the Priority Projects, Please Contact:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Disaster Response Branch
Chernobyl Desk
Palais des Nations
8-14 Av. de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel:(4122) 917 16 45,Fax: (4122) 917 0023,
E-mail: dusan.zupka@dha.unicc.org