MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – Belarus’ program on overcoming the impact of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident focuses on social security and radiation protection, Leonid Dedul, First Deputy Head of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus (Gosatomnadzor), told a press conference on 24 April, BelTA has learned.
“This week we are marking the 39th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, and we have already been gearing up for the 40th anniversary of this tragic event. The main efforts of the state are still aimed at reducing the radiation risk to the people’s health of citizens, creating decent living conditions, including for those living in contaminated areas. Today there are 930,000 of them,” Leonid Dedul said.
Belarus is implementing the sixth state program to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident. “About 60% of the funds under the program are allocated for social security matters. These include benefits, free meals for children, recuperation in spa resorts. Some 22% of the funds are earmarked for radiation protection measures related to radiation-free products, control of radionuclide content, implementation of relevant events. Funds are also allocated for social and economic development. Today we can no longer speak about restoration, but about development of the territories that were affected by the Chernobyl accident. All the risks have already been assessed, and we know what to do to improve the situation,” the first deputy head of Gosatomnadzor said.
According to him, the budget spending to overcome the impact of the Chernobyl NPP accident is gradually decreasing. “In the early 1990s, the country allocated 22% of its budget to address the issue. The restoration events related to the Chernobyl NPP accident amounted to 11% of the country’s budget in the following five-year periods. In the early 2000s, the share was about 3% of the budget, and today it is just slightly over 1%. The focus is on social security measures. The state takes care of its citizens,” Leonid Dedul emphasized.
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