Press Release
IHA/418
The need for continued international cooperation to address the social and economic problems resulting from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster was stressed by many speakers this afternoon at a United Nations pledging conference to mobilize support for projects in the affected republics Byelorussia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
While no exact total of the pledges made today was announced, Margaret J. Anstee, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and Coordinator for United Nations activities relating to Chernobyl, said the pledging conference should be seen as an important milestone in an ongoing process.
Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, opening the pledging conference, appealed for generous international help for the people affected by the disaster.
A basis for today's meeting, convened at the request of the General Assembly, was a joint plan for international cooperation, prepared by the Governments of Byelorussia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, covering 131 project proposals in the fields of health, resettlement, economic rehabilitation, socio-psychological rehabilitation, food and agriculture, environmental monitoring and clean-up and lessons to be learned from the Chernobyl experience.
Boris D. Pankin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, addressing a United Nations meeting for the first time, said such United Nations activities would provide the international community with invaluable experience needed to develop safeguards to prevent future accidents.
Anatoly M. Zenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, expressed the gratitude of the Government and people of Ukraine for the assistance in cash and in kind that had been offered since the accident at Chernobyl nuclear facility occurred on 26 April 1986.
In a message from Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation, Valery A. Burkov, his personal representative, said he hoped today's Conference would mark a major new step towards the accomplishment by the United Nations of "a new historic mission promoting an international system to maintain environmental security and protect human health".
Also making statements were representatives of Canada, Viet Nam, the United States, Sweden, India, the Netherlands (on behalf of the 12-member European Economic Community), Malta, Japan, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Byelorussia, Oman, Norway, China, Brazil, Poland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Mexico, Cuba, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Republic of Korea, Ukraine and Turkey.
The observer for the Holy See also made a statement. Other speakers were representatives of the following United Nations agencies: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Food and Agriculture 0rganization (FAO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also spoke: United Nations Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Chernobyl Help, International Foundation for Assistance to the Chernobyl Victims. An official of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development made a statement.
Chernobyl Pledging Conference
The Pledging Conference to mobilize international support to address and mitigate the consequences of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster began this afternoon.
For background information see Press Release IHA/417 of 18 September.
Statements made
The Conference was opened by reviewing the background of the efforts to mitigate the effects of the Chernobyl disaster. The Secretary- General noted that following his submissionnto the General Assembly of the findings of an inter- agency mission headed by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Comission for Europe (ECE) to the affected areas, the Assambly had appealed to the international community to provide help.
In response to other Assembly requests, he had appointed Margaret Anstee, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, as Coordinator, and with the agreement of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC), and inter-agency task force was set up. The United Nations system, working in close cooperation with the designated Government authorities, had set out the assistance requirements in the form of a joint plan.
The plan, the Secretary-General said, aimed principally at addressing the economic, social and humanitarian aspects of the problem, and comprised 131 projects. The external contributions requested were approximately $650 million.
The Secretary-General went on to say the plan included direct bilateral arrangements with the recipient States, and provided a coordinated framework for all such aid, multilateral or bilateral, so as to assure the best possible use of resources. Contributions therefore did not necessarily have to be made through the United Nations, "though he hoped some would". He trusted Governments would provide the United Nations with full information on action taken in response to the present appeal, including the bilateral action, so as to facilitate the task of coordinating all international assistance for Chernobyl.
(For complete text of Secretary-General's statement, see Press Release SG/SM/4622IHA/419.)
Statement by Soviet Foreign Minister
BORIS D. PANKIN, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, said the accident at Chernobyl had "unveiled the sinister countenance of an environmental Armageddon". Today, more than five years after the catastrophe, it was still perceived as a symbol of human tragedy. It had served as a stern warning to all people of the danger of underestimating the risks inherent in scientific and technological progress. At the same time, however, the tragedy had drawn the international community together.
People were still paying for the catastrophe with their health and well-being, he said. In order to minimize the negative impact of the accident, the leadership of the Soviet Union, Byelorussia, Russia, the Ukraine and other republics had established a single programme. It addressed a wide ray of problems related to medical assistance, food supply, monitoring and decontamination of the environment and the provision of social protection to the population. From May 1986 to the present, some 25 billion roubles had been allocated to Chernobyl-related problems.
It had become apparent, he continued, that the catastrophe could not be overcome singlehandedly, however. Effective steps to eliminate the "pernicious after-effects of the tragedy" were possible by pooling intellectual and material resources, as well as the scientific and technological potential of numerous countries, international organizations and research centres. Already, important international support had been provided by the United Nations and its specialized agencies and by bilateral projects, implemented by Japan, the Netherlands, France and other countries.
The General Assembly's resolution on the Chernobyl tragedy, adopted last December, had played an important role in expanding international cooperation to mitigate the consequences of the disaster, he said. Today's conference would reinforce the basis of the comprehensive programme put together under United Nations auspices to implement specific Chernobyl-related projects. Those activities did not run counter to other States' interests, because the resolution of post-Chernobyl problems could assist in the development of reliable safeguards that would prevent similar accidents in other countries. Bold and de-ideologized approaches would be required and new mechanisms would have to be set up to to resolve environmental, global and regional problems.
He urged Governments, international organizations, public movements and private foundations to support the United Nations Fund for International Chernobyl Programmes. As a joint voluntary contribution, 11 million roubles would be allocated, including 5 million roubles in foreign exchange from the Soviet Union and 2 million Soviet roubles each from Byelorussia, Russia and the Ukraine.
The President of the Russian Federation, BORIS N. YELTSIN, in a message read for him by his special representative, Valery A. Bourkov, said grief over the untimely death of children, fathers and mothers, brother and sisters, the torment of sudden and serious disease, and the fear of potential new suffering had resulted in a lasting public anxiety. In Russia alone, the health of five million people had been subjected to high risks. Of special concern was the future of children. He said the actual dimensions and deleterious effects of the accident had been carefully concealed from the public, leaving people defenceless in the face of danger.
As President of a now sovereign republic, he saw his personal duty in
restoring public confidence in the Government by taking all the necessary
measures to protect citizens from the effects of the accident and to prevent
the recurrence of similar disasters. He said a multi-billion rouble,
long-term State programme to address the consequences of the disaster
had been developed. International aid would be of tremendous importance
in speeding up its implementation. He said appropriate project proposals
had been submitted for discussion at the pledging conference. The people
of Russia appreciated the United Nations initiatives aimed at mobilizing
international cooperation in solving the problems generated by the Chernobyl
disaster.
He said international findings had indicated that continued use of inadequate industrial technologies in the Soviet Union and some countries of Europe, Asia and the Americas could only lead to a global environmental catastrophe. The present situation of Russia's nuclear-power industry was characterized by an accumulation of billions of curies of radioactive materials, posing a significant potential threat of environmental pollution. A natural emergency might result in ecological damage of global proportions. He declared Russia's firm intention to pursue a policy aimed at steady improvement of the environment and protection of the biosphere.
He hoped consolidated efforts by participants at the conference would mark a major step towards the accomplishment by the United Nations of a new historic mission of promoting an international system to maintain environmental security and protection of human health.
YVES FORTIER (Canada) said his country recognized the scope of the task to be faced in mitigating the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. During her recent visit to the Ukraine, Canada's Secretary of State for External Affairs had announced $Can 1 million in new Canadian initiatives.
Of that sum, $Can 500,000 would go towards two medical treatment projects in cooperation with UNESCO: $Can 300,000 for vital medical equipment for the Ukraine special clinic for the protection of children against radiation; and $Can 200,000 to help establish community centres for the psychological and social rehabilitation of relocated children and their families.
Canada, he went on, had allocated a further $Can 500,000 to draw on its own expertise in support of a range of bilateral technical assistance initiatives. Those would include expert advice and training in safety standards and radiation protection.
The Canadian Government and Canadian people were also helping the victiins of Chernobyl in many other ways. Atomic Energy Canada Limited had provided an expert cost-free to work on international assessment of the radiological consequences of Chernobyl. The province of Alberta was participating in establishment of model farms in Byelorussia. The University of Toronto was training a group of Ukrainian doctors in the treatment and monitoring of radiation-related illnesses.
TRINH XUAN LANG (Viet Nam) said the people and Government of his country had responded promptly to the emergency needs of the Soviet people. His country had sent an emergency team of doctors and medical supplies to help the victims of Chernobyl. In Viet Nam, a nationwide campaign had been launched to raise funds and to provide charcoal for anti-radiation uses in Chernobyl. In November 1990 and in August 1991, over 100 orphaned children from Byelorussia, the Ukraine and Russia, victims of the disaster, were welcomed "for holidays and family adoption" in Viet Nam. Such activities would continue, and at the same time, joint projects were under consideration to find practical ways of assisting the victims.
EDWARD MARKS (United States) said his Government had co-sponsored the General Assembly resolution on the Chernobyl accident with the understanding that the results of an expert assessment on the radiological consequences of the accident would be taken into account. That project was conducted by the International Advisory Committee and was coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The assessment recommended a number of measures to ensure the further collection, analysis and evaluation of relevant information. More information was necessary for dealing with all aspects of the tragic situation, especially regarding the issue of resettlement, in order to serve best the interests of the affected Soviet population. The success of further studies would depend heavily upon free access to heavily exposed personnel.
The United States Government had given serious consideration to requests for donations to the United Nations Trust Fund for Chernobyl, he said. His Government supported the principle and saw the need for the Chernobyl effort, but had continuing questions about many of the proposals that had been made, and, therefore, about the advisability of devoting significant new resources to them at the present time. Thus, the United States had no current plans to contribute to the new, extrabudgetary fund established to support the large-scale resettlement and recovery projects proposed by the Soviet Union in conjunction with Byelorussia, the Ukraine and Russia.
Because of its concern for those affected by the disaster, however, the United States would continue to contribute to its extensive Chernobyl-related cooperation with the Soviet Union and the republics, he said. Those activities would focus on technical and scientific issues and would proceed under the bilateral agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the Agreement on Environmental Protection.
JAN ELIASSON (Sweden) announced that his Government had decided to allocate 15 million Swedish kroner (approximately $2.5 million) for cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiation security in the Baltic region. That contribution, he said, would very much benefit the Chernobyl area. Sweden attached great importance to the improvement of nuclear and radiation security in the republics of the Soviet Union and its neighbouring States. Additional funds for the purpose might therefore be allocated at a later stage, he added.
C.R. GHAREKHAN (India) said his country had responded to the Chernobyl accident in a variety of ways. Assistance in kind had been provided, as had expertise for tackling the effects of the disaster. A contribution of 10 million rupees had been made last year, and India had co-sponsored the relevant resolutions in the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly.
In addition, today he could announce a further pledge of $250,000 in the form of supplies from India. Also, if India was to be a major partner to the extent of $100,000 in allocation of equipment for regional epidemiological stations that monitored, environmental studies, it was in a position to pledge a further $20,000. That project was being organized by health ministries in the Soviet Union, Byelorussia, the Ukraine and Russia.
Archbishop RENATO R. MARTINO, Observer for the Holy See, said the purpose of the pledging conference was not to recriminate, but to reflect and help. For its part, the Holy See had already provided aid in a variety of ways. In particular, the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, which is connected to a Holy See ministry, had hosted a group of 37 Russian children for a month in Rome for medical examinations and care. Another programme, which had been established to host 324 children for a month of medical care in Rome, will involve making the clinical findings of their progress and conditions available to the medical world at large.
The Archbishop added that the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the United States and Canada had already sent the survivors five cargo planes of donated medical and emergency supplies valued at $10 million. The Most Reverend Basil Losten, Bishop of the Ukrainian Diocese of Stamford, had been the moving force behind that effort and had accompanied the Archbishop to the United Nations today. The Archbishop then made a pledge of $20,000 on behalf of the Holy See for the disaster fund.
ROBERT J. VAN SCHAIK (Netherlands), speaking on behalf of the 12-member European Community, said people living in the three republics of Russia, Byelorussia and the Ukraine were still suffering in various ways from "the consequences of this calamity". The European Community and its member States had contributed to international efforts to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and would continue to do so along the lines of details recognized in the "Joint Plan", which had been drawn up by the Governments of the Soviet Union and of the republics of Byelorussia, the Ukraine and Russia in consultation with the Special United Nations Coordinator for activities relating to the Chernobyl accident, Margaret Anstee.
With regard to concrete activities being undertaken by the European Community and its member States, he mentioned the large quantities of food that had been provided to people in the Chernobyl region over the years, including 60,000 tonnes during the last winter alone. Furthermore, specialized medical facilities were being set up in the contaminated area, including medicine, medical equipment and expertise, transport and technical equipment such as devices for measuring radiological effects on people and the environment. Another aspect of this cooperation, he said, was in the form of contributions, mainly through the IAEA to programmes for nuclear safety improvement and active participation in scientific research activities. Altogether, the Community's technical and medical assistance had surpassed $30 million.
VICTOR CAMILLERI (Malta) said his Government would pledge $10,000 to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. Malta had also sought other means of assistance, such as receiving young people orphaned by the accident as guests during a visit last summer to Malta. His Government was ready to provide other such assistance.
KATSUMI SEZAKI (Japan) said that as the only country in the world to have suffered the effects of the atomic bomb, Japan felt profound sympathy for the victims of the Chernobyl accident. It was the obligation of the international community to support efforts to mitigate the consequences of the disaster and to address its long-term implications. Earlier this year, Japan had extended some $20 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) for its activities in the region. It had also extended cooperation through bilateral channels to the Soviet Union to mitigate effects on the health of the population and had provided experts for the research activities of the IAEA.
The international community should be guided by the report prepared by the International Advisory Committee of the IAEA, he said. Although there was room for improvement, it was the most authoritative and sound study available today and should be regarded as the basis for future international cooperation on the Chernobyl question.
WILHELM BREITENSTEIN (Finland) said that although five years had passed since the Chernobyl disaster, its consequences could not be fully assessed. It continued to cause grave problems, particularly for the inhabitants of the affected areas.
Subject to approval from the Finnish parliament, he said, Finland had decided to earmark 750,000 Finnish markkaa close to $200,000 in support of health projects intended to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl accident. That contribution, he said, was expected to be available before the end of the year.
EDUARD KUKAN (Czechoslovakia) said his Government was providing $500,000 for the international effort. Czechoslovakia had already offered humanitarian help to the Soviet Union through health-restoring recreation in the country tor children from the affected areas.
The Government had also approved the resettlement in Czechoslovakia of nearly 1,000 Czechs and Slovaks from the affected areas of the Ukraine. At the same time, medical and food aid had been shipped to the Ukraine, especially for children of Czechs and Slovaks from the region of Volyne. Further help was being offered on a bilateral basis.
IVAN A. KENIK (Byelorussia) expressed gratitude to all participants in relief effort surrounding the Chernobyl accident. He said the signifiance of the pledging conference lay in its demonstration of the world community's ability to respond to emergency situations of a global nature. The problem of Chernobyl was not unique to the region; it caused anxiety for all mankind. Nearly 60 countries from all continents had provided humanitarian assistance through non- governmental channels over the past year.
The United Nations and its specialized agencies had an important role to play in the disaster mitigation efforts, he continued. The profound economic and political crisis in the former Union hampered joint Union-republic efforts to address the consequences of the disaster. A real threat to the existence of economic guarantees of social protection for affected persons had recently arisen. The solution of the Chernobyl problem would contribute to political and economic stability, reformation and democratization.
The region was facing a crucial historical juncture, he went on. The new union would embrace sovereign States. A new economic community would be created. The various administrative bodies responsible for regions affected by the Chernobyl accident would work together towards the solution of problems, irrespective of State borders. The operative management of the national economy of the Soviet Union had allocated 11 million roubles to the Chernobyl fund of the United Nations.
He said his Government would guarantee that all aid be promptly delivered to those in need. The organizations of the republic would be reliable and stable partners in cooperative relief efforts. A joint plan by the Governments concerned provided a flexible framework for assistance in the context of the political changes currently taking place in the region. Intergovernmental cooperation would take place on the basis of an equitable balance of concerned parties' interests.
Twenty per cent of the republic's residents had been exposed to radiation, he went on. Six per cent of the republic's budget was spent' on rehabilitation programmes for children. In 1992, the republic would allocate 40 per cent of its resources to mitigation of the Chernobyl disaster. Such a large allocation impeded the process of transition to a market economy. The disaster relief effort must not be politicized. National and joint efforts at disaster mitigation must be supported by the international community.
SALIM BIN MOHAMMED AL-KHUSSAIBY (Oman) said his Government shared the concern of the international community for the hazards posed by the Chernobyl accident, and would pledge $50,000 to the United Nations Fund for Russia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. In doing so, Oman hoped in some small way to share the pain felt by the victims of the accident.
MARTIN HUSLID (Norway) said his Government had felt both compassion and a desire to help the victims of Chernobyl, and had also expressed concern about the continued use of Chernobyl-style nuclear reactors. In 1990, Norway had provided 1.8 million Norwegian kroner some $300,000 towards Chernobyl-related activities, including those of the Red Cross, summer recreation stays in Norway for Chernobyl children and for projects to reduce radioactivity in farm products. In 1991, his Government had donated another 1.1 million kroner some $160,000 for a project for the construction of radiation research and treatment centre and more summer visits to Norway by Chernobyl children. He announced a new contribution of 1 million kroner $150,000 to the Chernobyl fund.
YESUI ZHANG (China) said his Government had decided to donate to the Soviet Union 300,000 yuan renminbi (approximately $60,000) through the Chinese Red Cross on a bilateral basis.
RONALDO MOTA SARDENBERG (Brazil) said Brazil had co-sponsored a resolution in the Economic and Social Council on the Chernobyl accident. It supported ongoing efforts to mitigate the consequences of the disaster, but regretted it was unable, because of economic and budgetary problems, to make a donation. It would, however, discuss in the future the needs of the people with the Governments of the affected republics.
ROBERT MROZIEWICZ (Poland) said as one of the countries affected by the Chernobyl accident, Poland was very much interested in participating in the United Nations activities aimed at mitigating the consequences of the disaster. Polish experts were involved in ongoing research related to the effects of nuclear radiation in general, and to the disaster under discussion today in particular. Studies were available from the Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection in Warsaw, as were the proceedings of the 1990 International Symposium of Post-Chernobyl Environmental Radioactivity Studies in East European Countries, which had been held in his country. He added that an automatic station for measuring air radiological contaminiation, designed and built by Polish engineers, had been exported to a number of Western European countries.
He said that Poland had sponsored thousands of children from affected areas outside of Poland. Caritas, an organization of the Polish Roman Catholic Church, had hosted 11,525 children affected by radiation from the Chernobyl disaster. The children, most of whom had been hosted by Polish families, had been provided with medical care, food and recreation.
CLAUDIA FRITSCHE (Liechtenstein) said her Government appreciated efforts made so far for the Chernobyl victims but was aware of the need for further cooperation. Liechtenstein had already transferred 100,000 Swiss francs for a capital relief project in the Ukraine and today could pledge another 10,000 Swiss francs to the United Nations Fund.
IRENE FREUDENSCHUSS-REICHL (Austria) said her Government had decided to donate 50 million Austrian schillings, more than $4 million, in support of the construction of a hospital in Minsk, Byelorussia. Other contributions to the Chernobyl Relief Fund by Austria had been referred to by the representative of the Holy See in his statement earlier..
MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia) said his Government pledged $10,000 for the international effort to help the people of the affected areas. It trusted that the overwhelming consequences of the disaster could be effectively contained.
MOHAMMED H. MIRDASS AL-KAHTAMY (Saudi Arabia) said the people and Government of Saudi Arabia supported efforts to mitigate the consequences of the tragic accident at Chernobyl. International cooperation was needed to Protect the global environment. Despite the difficult circumstances faced by his country caused by the recent war, his Government would pledge $100,000 to the United Nations Trust Fund for Chernobyl. He hoped there would be continued international cooperation for such a serious environmental crisis.
ANDRE ERDOS (Hungary) said the accident at Chernobyl had had serious environmental effects, while the handling of the incident by the Government in 1986 had been almost as catastrophic as the accident itself. Important political lessons had been learned, and although the present Governments involved could not undue the damage, they could work with the international community. The Chernobyl disaster had resulted in a new sense of international solidarity, as demonstrated by the action of the General Assembly and the specialized agencies. Hungary would support and promote activities in the United Nations system to mitigate the consequences of the disaster. Through bilateral cooperation, his Government had previously provided some 3 million forint and was seeking new means of future cooperation, particularly in the medical field.
MICHALIS STAVRINOS(Cyprus) expressed the intention of his Government to contribute to the international effort. The exact amount would be announced later, he said.
EMIL VAPIREV (Bulgaria) said his country had also been contaminated during the Chernobyl accident, although much less than others. Despite the country's financial problems, it had decided to contribute the sum of 75,000 leva. In addition, it was admitting children from the contaminated areas for the restoration of their health. Bulgaria had presented a list of projects in which it was particularly interested and could offer help. The details required further work, preferably by direct contacts with specialists and institutions.
Bulgaria operated six nuclear-power stations the safety of which created considerable public concern, he stated. It intended to establish a centre for radiation protection for the Balkan region to train specialists and carry out research on problems, of radiation protection and safety.
MARGARITA DIEGUEZ-ARMAS (Mexico) said that with its Chernobyl related activities, the United Nations was again working towards increased international cooperation. The world Organization appeal had provided a good basis for her Government to study ways in which it could provide assistance, and it would continue to do so
CARLOS FERNANDEZ (Cuba) said his country was facing particularly serious economic and political difficulties and so could not make any financial contribution to the Chernobyl effort. Cuba had been able to provide valuable assistance in the medical field, however, including medicines and research. Children had been particular beneficiaries of that programme. In recent years, 5,465 children from affected areas benefited free of charge from extensive medical and health care in Cuba. This month, another 1,400 children, from the Ukraine and Russia, would arrive for similar care.
BRIAN BABINGTON (Australia) said his Government was not in a position to make a contribution. He said it was proper that the United Nations should be involved in the programme in view of the international nature of the problem.
MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN AL-SHAALI (United Arab Emirates) said his Government had handled 19 medical cases resulting from the disaster and had sent medical relief to the areas affected. He announced a pledge of $50,000, adding that more assistance would be provided through bilateral cooperation.
EPHRAIM TARI (Israel) said an Israeli scientist had been among the first international scientists sent to the area affected. A number of children from those areas had been sent to Israel for treatment.
CHANG HEE ROE (Republic of Korea) said his Government would pledge $50,000 to alleviate the hardship and devastation caused by the Chernobyl accident. It was also planning to participate in the projects of the Chernobyl International Study Centre, supervised by the IAEA, in two areas of study: nuclear waste management amd the prevention of radiation disaster. Furthermore, during the project period of 1991 to 1993, his Government would be funding $800,000 through the participation of the Korean Energy Research Institute and the Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety.
DRAGAN ZUPANJEVAC (Yugoslavia) said that in a difficult period his Government had been able to initiate a programme of cooperation with the affected republics and with the Soviet Union. More than 2,000 children had been welcomed to Yugoslavia and had received appropriate care. It was estimated that some $700,000 worth of assistance had been thus provided. Although Yugoslavia was going through one of the most difficult times in its history, it would continue to provide assistance for the mitigation of the effects of the Chemobyl accident.
THIERRY BAUDON of the newly established European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said the bank was determined to play a role in the effort to help the affected republics. It could provide assistance in the area of policy formulation, energy and transportation. It was interested in projects in the Chernobyl area, particularly in nuclear safety. Also, the European Bank had made extensive contacts with United Nations agencies and was working with the Goverments of the areas affected in pre-investment work. The bank was prepared to devote significant staff time towards project formulation and on related work.
FUAT TANLAY (Turkey) said his Government was not yet able to announce its pledge, although it attached great importance to international cooperation to remedy the consequences of the Chemobyl accident.
JAMES J. MOHAN, representative of the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF), said the agency had provided a limited amount of support and technical assistance to children and mothers who had been victims of the Chernobyl accident. The UNICEF had provided the All-Union Endocrinology research Centre in Moscow with 500,000 iodized oil capsules for persons below 20 years of age who had been exposed to radiation. Portable ultrasonographic equipment had also been provided to facilitate accurate assessment of thyroid size. That support, valued at approximately $100,000, had been financed by funds received from the German National Committee for UNICEF specifically for victims of the Chernobyl disaster.
A UNICEF team which had visited Russia, Byelorussia and the Ukraine in June had identified three priority areas for agency intervention, should additional funding be forthcoming, he said. Those were psychological rehabilitation for the victims of the disaster; essential drug, and medical equipment to reduce the effects of radiation; and monitoring of the health conditions of women and children. The main objectives of these possible interventions, he said, would be to reduce the existing emotional stress among the population living in contaminated regions, and assist in their rehabilitation; and to reduce the risk of further damage to tha health conditions of women and children.
LUIS-MARIA GOMEZ, Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said the Programme had joined the assessment mission to review the needs of the affected areas. The UNDP Governing Council, at its recent meeting, had requested the Administrator to consider ways in which the Programme could provide technical assistance. Already, several staff had been redeployed. The UNDP would continue to discuss with the affected Governments ways in which it could provide assistance. The Programme believed it could play a significant role in the provision of administrative and managerial assistance.
AANDRI ISAKSSON, a representative of the United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said that in response to the disaster, his organization had prepared a programme of action encompassing more than 60 projects. Twenty of those had already been launched, including a $30,000 project establishing a language laboratory to facilitate the access of professionals involved in the clean up process and a $100,000 teacher training programme for the rehabilitation of children.
He said future plans for UNESCO included an international conference late in 1992 on the catastrophe's impact, establishment of a scientific network for studying its environmental consequences and the creation of three psychological rehabilitation centres in the region.
BJOERN SIGURBJOERNSSON, speaking for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said IAEA had helped the Soviet Union and the affected republic to set up a research centre. The IAEA had carried out an assessment of the area affected at the request of the Soviet Union. He referred to an international conference held in Vienna to discuss a project on the assessment of the ra.diological consequences and evaluation measures for Chernobyl. The FAO had been handicapped by the fact that the Soviet Union and the affected regions were not members of that agency. Nevertheless, it had sent food to the area. Together with IAEA, it was working on a number of projects. It was also working with the Government of Norway on projects to decontaminate agricultural products.
ROGER BENNET, speaking for the United Nations Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said UNEP pledged its support and would be willing to provide regional expertise for detailed mapping of the contaminated areas. It would wish to be further associated with environmental monitoring.
TOM MC DOWELL, representative of Chernobyl Help, said his organization, originally founded in the Soviet Union, had been able to raise money to assist the victims of the Chernobyl accident. It had held a telethon in the Soviet Union, raising in-kind aid, roubles and hard currency. The group had received more than 1,000 requests for help, primarily for children, and had also provided holiday rest for large numbers of children. More than 1,300 families had received financial support following efforts by Chernobyl Help to prove that a parent had died as a result of the accident. Chernobyl Help was also approaching American corporations for assistance.
ALEXANDER KOVALENKO, representative of the International Foundation for Assistance to Chernobyl Victims, said it had been organizing assistance for the people of the Chernobyl area. There were a number of organizations which were prepared to help in the fund-raising effort. All monies collected by the organization would be made available to the authorities concerned for the benefit of the victims. The disaster had shown that nuclear accidents knew no borders. It had also shown what the consequences of a nuclear war could be.
ANATOLY M. ZLENKO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Ukraine, announced a pledge of 2 million roubles for the United Nations Chernobyl Trust Fund and expressed gratitude for pledges of assistance to his country. He paid tribute to the Secretary-General and the Coordinator of the international assistance effort, Ms. Anstee, for their work. The people of the Ukraine were now finally assimilating the enormity of the problem, five years after the accident. The Ukraine was ready to work with the international community to overcome the effects of the disaster. He also paid tribute to the various United Nations agencies and other organizations which had sent scientists and other technical personnel to the affected area to study the effects of the disaster. He appealed for more technical assistance.
MARGARET J. ANSTEE, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and Coordinator for United Nations activities relating to Chernobyl, said today's Pledging Conference had marked an important milestone in the international cooperation to mitigate the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Speakers had demonstrated the breadth of international assistance, and there had also been encouraging pledges of help that would be forthcoming. Some of that assistance was for the United Nations Trust Fund for Chernobyl, while others had promised technical or in-kind assistance. The Conference was not an end in itself, but was an important milestone in an ongoing effort. She asked that the Secretariat be kept informed of any assistance provided so it could keep abreast of all developments.
She said the IAEA report was an important document but one that was concerned with the radiological effects of the disaster. The work under consideration today was, on the other hand, important, related to the Economic, social and humanitarian aspects of Chernobyl. Whatever the scientific results, hundreds of thousands of people needed help.