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Mitigating health consequences of Chernobyl

On 26 April 1986, the worst nuclear accident in the history of humankind occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in Ukraine. The disaster that was rated highest at the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) and affected the environment and the lives of millions of people in Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Evacuation and relocation proved a deeply traumatic experience to many people with profound psychosocial impact due to the loss of homes and jobs, rupture of social fabric of communities and a social stigma associated with Chernobyl. WHO, along with the scientific research agencies and the governments of the three affected states, has been leading the efforts to assess and mitigate the health consequences of the accident through limiting the exposure of the population, supporting medical follow-up to those affected and harnessing the scientific cooperation to study the health impact of the incident.

Publications

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A framework for mental health and psychosocial support in radiological and nuclear emergencies
This framework aims to promote integration between the MHPSS and radiation protection fields. It is intended for officials and specialists involved in...

The 2006 WHO report Health Effects of the Chernobyl Accidents and Special Health Care Programmes was developed as a result of the UN inter-agency initiative...

Documents

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On 26 April 1986, an explosion and fires at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine caused the largest uncontrolled radioactive release in the history of...

chernobyls legacy en

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 was the most severe in the history of the nuclear power industry, causing a huge release of radionuclides...

The explosion on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the consequent reactor fire resulted in an unprecedented release of radioactive...

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 was the most severe in the history of the nuclear power industry, causing a huge release of radionuclides...