Assistance by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security to the project “Human Security for Individuals and Communities in Chernobyl-Affected Areas through Local Information Provision” in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia

November 18, 2008
Japanese

On 18 November, the Government of Japan and the United Nations (UN) decided to extend assistance totalling 2,610,478.20 US dollars (approximately 294.98 million yen) through the Trust Fund for Human Security to a project entitled “Human Security for Individuals and Communities in Chernobyl-Affected Areas through Local Information Provision (International Chernobyl Research and Information Network)” in Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, to be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Since the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in April 1986, information on the effects of radiation on the human health and the environment has been provided through official channels and national media sources. However, as the information supply was often irregular, overly complicated and incoherent, people became sceptical of the provided information and reluctant to follow recommendations on radiation hygiene and safety. This project aims to alleviate social and mental difficulties by providing adequate information that matches the needs of the people. The following activities will be implemented:

Conducting needs analysis in the affected areas as well as developing information database and disseminating practical and reliable information that matches the public needs through the internet;
Training local stakeholders on ways to apply in practice the newly received information through a community-based information dissemination campaign;
Creating 15 information access points to improve access to information and educational materials on the internet;
Empowering of local officials, media, teachers, medical and radiological professionals, and NGOs by providing training and conducting workshops in order to promote healthier and safer living style in contaminated areas;
Assisting implementation of community-driven small-scale initiatives to promote health, ecological and socio-economic recovery:

This project is expected to improve information deficiency, behavioural patterns and perceptions of the people living in the contaminated area.

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