Article

Belarus’ experience in post-Chernobyl communication with the local population, and some lessons learnt from involvement in the NERIS-TP project

¹ Research Institute of Radiology, Fedyuninsky Str. 16, 246000 Gomel, Belarus.
² Biology Department, Gomel State University n.a. Francysk Skaryna 102, Sovietskaya Str., 246000 Gomel, Belarus.

Abstract

This article presents the experience of post-Chernobyl management in Belarus associated with information interaction with the residents of the affected areas. It shows the evolution of the communication system throughout the whole period after the Chernobyl disaster, from communicating mostly with decision-making authorities in the first post-Chernobyl years to gradually shifting the major focus onto the public with the objective of promoting proactive attitudes towards restoration and development of the affected areas and improving the radiological culture of the affected residents. It also gives some important conclusions on the RIR’s participation in the NERIS-TP project as a subcontractor to the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA). Despite the long-term experience of Belarus in post-accident management and the important results achieved by implementing various measures in the post-accident recovery period, there is presently a great necessity to pay due attention to the emergency preparedness for a potential new accident, in particular in view of the construction of the first NPP in Belarus.