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The meeting was opened by Mr.
Gerhard Putnam-Cramer, Deputy Director UN OCHA, Geneva, on behalf of the
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations
Coordinator for International Cooperation on Chernobyl, Mr. Sergio Vieira de
Mello. The opening remarks introduced the new Chernobyl Programme Manager,
Mr. Dusan Zupka, focused the attention of the group on the strategy adopted
by OCHA under the guidance of Mr. Vieira de Mello. Mr. Putnam-Cramer called
attention to several events on the calendar that would impact the direction
the Chernobyl Programme, including forthcoming Secretary General’s Report:
"Strengthening of International Cooperation and Coordination of Efforts
to Study, Mitigate and Minimize the Consequences of the Chernobyl
Disaster". The group also welcomed an observer from the US Mission.
(See Prepared Text for Opening Remarks.)
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Mr. Dusan Zupka chaired the
meeting and proposed that the attached agenda be adopted. The agenda was
accepted by the Task Force. (See Agenda for IATF.) Meeting attendees were
asked to introduce themselves. (See List of Attendees.) Each organization
represented presented a brief overview of the status of their organization’s
activities and level of funding. (Updated information on programmes and
funding are will be reflected in changes to the SG Report.)
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Due to lengthy reviews of the
programmes and projects, the group deferred discussion of the Draft SG
Report until the afternoon, following the strategy and
"brainstorming" session. In the discussion of programmes and the
strategy the following themes emerged.
- Secondary Health and Psychological Impact. The
attendees agreed that too little attention was being paid the secondary and
indirect affects of the disaster on the population. WHO and IFRC observed
that our knowledge of the long-term consequences of this type of
radiological event is still extremely limited. It is believed that some
medical conditions not normally associated with radiation expose may turn
out to have causal linkages. Both UNICEF and WHO remarked that the focus of
our attention should be the fact that these are populations whose physical
and psychological health are under severe stress and exacerbated by poor
socio-economic conditions, regardless of the cause, and they deserve more
assistance.
- Need to Treat Communities. UNESCO observed
that the impact of the disaster extends beyond the health and well-being of
the individuals and is having a severe impact on the social fabric of the
community. People already prone to distrust government and official
institutions are searching for support in deteriorating economic and social
conditions. As a result, UNESCO with the support of UNDP and others, has
devoted considerable effort to establishing, staffing and training of
community centers. While the intent is to turn the operation of these
centers over to the local communities, it is unlikely that they can be
sustained by the government or local agencies under the current conditions.
Participants were invited to use the infrastructure created by these centers
to support other programmes and projects.
- UN and International Commitment. Participants
voiced concern that international and UN commitment seemed to be lagging.
IFRC, who is committed to a carrying through their community support and the
screening programmes utilizing mobile diagnostic laboratories, at least
until initial screening of the population under the age of 18 exposed to the
radiation is completed in year 2006, was particularly concerned. The lack of
donor support to UN appeals, the decision to place the Chernobyl programme
under the Europe Desk, and the reduction of resources committed to the
programme and the region have led some to observe that there is a decline in
commitment.
- Need for a Positive Picture of Response.
UNESCO observed that there is a positive story to be told about the response
to the disaster and the valiant efforts of the population which they believe
will stimulate donor and general assistance in renewed assistance. This view
was echoed by others, including UNECE. Interest was expressed by IFRC in
collaborating on the photojournalism initiative of OCHA. Concern was raised
by IAEA, and others, that the message of this campaign not focus on
destruction and radiological hazards. It was observed that these factors are
under control and continued resurrection of such images causes more stress
in the population and undermines effort to attract investment and restore
confidence in the exports from the region.
- Realistic Standards for Radiation Levels. IAEA,
UNECE, and NEA all raised the issue of realistic standards for levels of
radiation in the affected countries. The concern is that the accident has
led political leaders to the establishment of unrealistic standards for
radiation levels. Such standards distort the boundaries of areas still
affected by radiation, create unwarranted concerns among the population, and
cause goods safe for consumption to be destroyed or subjected to unnecessary
decontamination. IAEA, UNECE and ILO observed that there are international
standards for acceptable radiation levels in products and that they should
be observed. One notable exception is in the level of radiation acceptable
in wood products. This is of particular concern since forestry is a major
industry in the affected region. Efforts are currently underway to establish
these standards.
- Importance of local Coordination. UNDP Res Rep
for the Ukraine and UNICEF strongly supported the emphasis placed on local
coordination in the revised OCHA strategy. Both viewed this as a positive
step. UNICEF observed that it has and will continue to manage its programmes
at this level. All participants agreed that, ideally, they would like to see
the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts become an integral part of the
national development plans. Concern was voiced that at present the nations
would find it difficult to establish a long-term view and be able to find
the resources necessary to implement a comprehensive development plan.
Nonetheless, it was agreed that more effort should be place on building
cooperation and involving the major donor missions in the countries in the
local coordination efforts.
- Need for Synergy with G-7 Efforts.
Considerable discussion revolved around the need to better integrate
activities at the international, as well as local levels. The principal area
of concern was a perceived difference between the agendas of the G-7 nations
who appear to be focused on addressing the technical and radiological hazard
still posed by the Chernobyl site and those of the United Nations, who are
focused on the humanitarian need of the population. Responding to a call for
an integrated international agenda the discussion was led by the EC
representative. Reflecting on experience, the EC representative observed
that these were unusual circumstances in that normally the G-7 did not
launch projects and that the UN Secretariat did not be come actively
involved in such programmes. The lack of coordination mechanisms for the two
groups as well as the difference in their interests would probably continue
to result in different agendas, but synergies should be sought. He further
observed that a more holistic view of the situation is required if this
synergy is to be achieved.
- Project Funding and Advocacy. The group was
not optimistic regarding the prospects of funding for the revised Appeal.
Some doubts still remain as to whether this set of projects reflects the
best investment of limited funds. Most participants were willing to defer to
the judgement of the those involved in the discussions with the ERC on the
ground regarding these priorities, but still had reservations about the
ability to obtain funding. Again, the issues of awareness and advocacy were
raised. There is a strong consensus that if the situation is correctly
presented to the donor community funding may be obtained, but that this
picture must be realistic, focus on the current humanitarian needs, and not
resort to distortion of the radiological hazard in the area.
- Safety and Economic Rehabilitation. The fact
that the EBRD investment in the SIP and related projects to improve the
safety and security of the Chernobyl site is essential precondition to
recovery of the area was noted by all. Likewise it was noted that the
employment opportunities created by theses projects should not go unnoticed.
Considerable support was voiced for the pilot project of FAO and IAEA
involving the efforts to return agricultural areas still subject to
contamination concerns to production.
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In conclusion, the group
reviewed the Draft Secretary General’s Report and agreed to forward in
writing recommended changes. The participants noted in their parting
comments that they were heartened by the excellent turnout for the meeting
and the new energy devoted to the task. These views were also reflected in
the prompt response by most organizations to contribute any changes to the
draft SG Report.