Ionizing radiation

Chernobyl: Thirty Years On

Ferris Wheel in Chernobyl zone.
Ms. Larisa Yanovich
Ferris Wheel in Chernobyl zone.

On 26 April 2016, the world marked 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in Ukraine - the disaster that affected millions of people in Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and had a substantial impact on the entire humankind by changing the nations attitudes to nuclear safety on a global scale. International radiation safety standards, strategies for improving the nuclear safety, approaches to emergency response procedures and mitigation of consequences were revised after the accident.

UN Action Plan for the 3rd Decade of Chernobyl

In 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on Chernobyl and announced the launch of the UN Action Plan for the Third Decade of Chernobyl with the key priorities set on sustainable development of Chernobyl-affected areas and return to normality. The UN agencies worked together with the governments of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation to implement the Action Plan.

International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN)

In 2009-2013, as a part of the UN Action Plan implementation, WHO contributed to the inter-agency International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN) project. A joint effort by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the WHO, the project aimed to alleviate the stigma of psychological impact in society, encourage self-reliance, and empower local communities through information and knowledge about the true impact of the accident.

UN Chernobyl Forum

As part of the UN Chernobyl Forum, WHO conducted a series of expert meetings from 2003 to 2005. The experts reviewed scientific evidence on health effects associated with the accident and produced health care recommendations for national authorities.

Chernobyl accident: 25 years on

Chernobyl accident: 20 years on

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