April 26 is the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.

April 26 is the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. On this day, people all over the world recall Chernobyl, a sacrifice of those who without sparing their lives and health stopped the radiation disaster and prevented a larger disaster.

The proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly of April 26 as the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is an important contribution to preserving the memory of the terrible tragedy and fearless feats.

The contamination of the territory of Belarus amounted to 23 per cent of the total area. About 35 per cent of the Chernobyl fallout of caesium-137, the main radionuclide that forms the radiation dose to the population, fell on the territory of Belarus. Therefore, the consequences of Chernobyl for the country are defined as a “national environmental disaster”.

The Belarusian state, with the support of international partners, has done a tremendous amount of work to overcome the consequences of the man-made disaster. Since 1996, Belarus has allocated more than $19.5 billion for this purpose. Now the focus of the national efforts of the Belarusian state is expanding from relief and rehabilitation to sustainable development of the economic and human potential of the affected regions.

Belarus is grateful to all international partners who have not remained indifferent to the suffering of the people in the contaminated territories and have provided the country with assistance.

Belarus believes that international cooperation on the Chernobyl issue remains important. Belarus counts on support from UN agencies, UN Member States and private investors and is interested in involving international partners in addressing the practical tasks facing the state in ensuring sustainable development of these regions.

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