On April 19, 2007 the 16th International Conference on Chornobyl started at the UN Headquarters in New York. It aimed at attracting additional international attention to the Chornobyl-related topics and maintaining awareness of the ongoing consequences of the worst nuclear accident in history, the effects of which are still felt by many today. This and other events confirm one more time that United Nations agencies continue to pay considerable attention to Chornobyl and the effort to mitigate its legacy.
For a long time assistance from international organisations was primarily channelled into construction of the shelter over Chornobyl's reactor four, reducing impact of radiation on people's health and delivering humanitarian aid to the affected population.
A strategy for revival
In 2002 the UN adopted a new strategy for the revival of the territories worst hit by the Chornobyl disaster which was presented in the report The Human Consequences of the Chornobyl Nuclear Accident. A Strategy for Recovery. The report was based on the conclusion that the biggest challenge to the affected region was not radiation, but rather a lack of social and economic opportunities.
As a result, the United Nations shifted the focus of its Chornobyl efforts from emergency assistance to social recovery and economic development. The transition from humanitarian aid to a development strategy defined the co-ordination role of the UN Development Programme, putting UNDP at the heart of these UN-led efforts. Specifically these include providing well-targeted assistance in improving living conditions, creating new jobs, promoting economic development and supporting the revival of local communities. The strategy's special focus is provision of reliable information on the norms of safe living and healthy lifestyles within the affected territories. UNDP continues to work with governments to streamline the costs of overcoming the consequences of Chornobyl.
Developing local communities
In Ukraine, community development initiatives are being successfully implemented within the UNDP-led Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme. As a result of the programme, a total of 256 organisations in 174 villages are helping over 20,000 people. Uniting their own resources with those of local authorities and the private sector, they are implementing projects focused on making a real difference in local communities.
Specifically, these community-development projects include water and gas provision, reconstruction and improvement of medical facilities, improvement of the educational environment, reconstruction of schools, and the creation of youth and community centres in villages. In five affected districts local economic development agencies have been set up. As a result, a swimming pool has been opened in Borodyanka, Kyiv region - the first since the Chornobyl disaster - which was built with the funds from local communities, authorities, businessmen and donor agencies.
The village school in Pakul, Chernihiv district, has been linked to the water supply system and obtained newly-constructed toilets and shower rooms for its schoolchildren for the first time in 40 years.
A Youth Centre in Klavdiyeve and medical aid stations have been opened in Pylypovichi and Mykulychi (Borodyanka district). There were over 40 such projects in Ukraine in 2006 alone.
In its activities worldwide the UN counts on celebrities in addressing the most burning social issues. This year the top international tennis star and new UNDP Goodwill Ambassador on Chornobyl Maria Sharapova donated USD 100,000 to implement eight Chornobyl recovery projects in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
The need for a sustainable future
As we mark the 21st anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear accident, the UN is sending out a vital message of hope and calls for support to continue for the social and economic recovery of the regions and communities affected by the Chornobyl catastrophe. At the same time, comprehensive environmental strategies and deep geological disposal facilities are needed to dispose safely of the growing quantities of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste, not only in Ukraine but worldwide.
To achieve success in ending Chornobyl's legacy of fear every helping hand counts - not only to bring about sustainable recovery, but to also prevent future catastrophes and guarantee safety from the burden of nuclear waste.
