Reference Materials

Chernobyl Forum

The Chernobyl Forum is an IAEA’s initiative launched in 2003 with the participation of international organizations from the UN family and representatives of the three affected countries. The initiative aims to generate consensual statements on the health effects attributable to radiation exposure, provide advice on health care programmes and consider the necessity for continued research.

List of Participants, Terms of Reference and tentative Workplan for 2003-2004

Workplan for 2004-2006

"Chernobyl's Legacy: Health, Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts and Recommendations to the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine" - findings of the Chernobyl Forum

United Nations Agencies

Final version of the UN Action Plan on Chernobyl

“The Human Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident - A Strategy for Recovery” - study commissioned by UNDP, UNICEF, UN-OCHA and WHO in 2002 on the living conditions of people in the affected areas. Assessments were based on rigorous analysis drawn from numerous interviews, mission observations, discussions and research papers from local experts.

The Chernobyl Tissue Bank - joint initiative funded by the European Commission, WHO, the National Cancer Institute of the USA, and the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation of Japan, aimed at helping scientists all over the world research increased incidences of thyroid cancer in the Chernobyl areas.

Children affected by the Chernobyl accident - joint project of WHO and the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation to improve diagnosis of thyroid diseases and follow up of patients treated for thyroid cancer

"Hereditary Effects of Radiation" - United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) 2001 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annex The report provides a comprehensive review of the hereditary risks to offspring following parental exposure to radiation and suggests that radiation is less likely to have adverse genetic effects than had been assumed. For more UNSCEAR publications, click here.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

"Shelter Implementation Plan"provides information on the Shelter construction around the wrecked Chernobyl Unit 4 and the actual conditions of the Shelter.

Chenobyl Shelter page on EBRD website

World Bank

Belarus: Chernobyl Review.This World Bank study highlights major post-Chernobyl problems is Belarus and offers possible solutions.

Belarus Post-Chernobyl Recovery Project.The project aims to provide the population residing in the Chernobyl affected area with energy efficient and reliable heat and hot water services in order to improve their living environment.

"Small Projects - Big Results" - An overview of Chernobyl-focused projects, supported by the World Bank’s Small Grants Programme in Belarus in 2005-2006.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

"CHARP Focus" - publication of the International Federation's Minsk Delegation describes aims and achievements of the Chernobyl Humanitarian Assistance and Rehabilitation Programme (CHARP) - the longest-running Federation relief programme.

Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus

The Ministry's website provides information on the history and consequences of the Chernobyl accident and Chernobyl-related legislation, describes existing international cooperation to mitigate the accident consequences, contains materials from the International Conference on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the catastrophe at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and provides useful links.

Ministry for Emergencies and Affairs of Population Protection from the Consequences of the Chernobyl Catastrophe of Ukraine

The Ministry's website provides information about the main functions of the Chernobyl Radiological Centre, problems of Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, exchange of nuclear safety information through Ukrainian International Nuclear Safety Center, and STACCIS Project on cooperation in network technologies.

Harvard University

“Medical Consequences of the Accident at the Chernobyl NPP: Forecast and Comparison with Actual Data in the National Registry” Article contains information which was provided 14 years after the Chernobyl accident on the delayed radioactive effects in Russia, and lessons learned from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“Radiation Epidemiological Studies in Russian National Medical and Dosimetric Registry with Respect to the Chernobyl Accident”Article discusses cancer and non-cancer registration systems among liquidators, and people living in the contaminated areas.

“Study of malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system among Chernobyl accident emergency workers” Paper examines incidence of malignant neoplasms of the GU system among liquidators, as well as the effect of radiation on disease rates, incidence ratio, time -trends for morbidity and mortality of the diseases of interest.

Texas Tech University

Abstract from "DNA Damage and Radiocesium in Channel Catfish from Chernobyl"

Abstract from "High Level of Genetic Change in Rodents of Chernobyl"

Abstract from "Small Mammals from the Most Radioactive Sites Near the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant"