NGOs and Foundations initiated projects in the Chernobyl around 1991. Eventually, these types of organizations would account for close to 80 percent of total project expenditures, and many of these NGO’s focused on supporting overwhelmed local health care systems. For example, the Chernobyl Children’s Project, a non-governmental organization, implemented projects estimated at $29.9 million, which
largely focused on the mental and physical health of those exposed to radiation. NGOs also worked with local government to build the capacity of the Belarus health care system to respond effectively to the crisis. NGO and UN Projects also focused on the study and treatment of diseases and other conditions that resulted from the disaster. Assistance went to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancers, the treatment of leukemia, the study of the genetic implications of the disaster, as well as collecting health data. The government of Belarus estimated that thyroid cancer rates in children under 15 years rose dramatically from 2,000 cases in 1990 to 8,000-10,000 in 2001. Hundred of thousands Chernobyl liquidators, who were involved in the clean-up operations and received high doses of radiation, developed a number of diseases and required medical treatment. Already facing severe economic problems, dealing with the Chernobyl disaster further taxed the economy of Belarus and government spending. As a result, government assistance to study and treat the health consequences of Chernobyl was limited. In Belarus 20 percent of agricultural lands and 23 percent of forests were contaminated by radionuclides. UN system organizations invested in the use of Caesium Binders to reduce Caesium-137 found in the soil. Rapeseed cultivation in contaminated areas helped to support agricultural recovery. Fertilizers, which were used to combat the effects of radionuclides, were estimated to cost nearly $77 million per year. As a result, only large enterprises could afford to use fertilizers and the majority (80 percent) of small households in the affected areas continued to consume foods contaminated by radionuclides. Organizations focused on subsidizing the cost of fertilizers and making them available throughout agricultural areas. When projected over 30- year recovery period, the total damage to the economy of Belarus can be estimated at $235 billion. FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN OF CHERNOBYL was founded in 1993 to aid Belarussian children who were affected by the Chernobyl disaster. Children have been coming to Ireland ever since the charity’s inception thanks to volunteers. In the last 20 years 7000 children have visited Ireland on holiday and have received optical, dental and medical treatment. The group also helped to equip, repair and carry out renovation to hospitals, schools and houses for the needy. However during this time the charity realized that the conditions in Belarus were worsening, children with intellectual and physical disabilities are living in appalling conditions with mothers who are in desperate straits. The group’s work is increasingly focused on the families and the villages where the children are living, realizing as they do that the children’s health benefits greatly when families and communities are supported. This support comes in the form of food on a weekly basis. The charity also supplies dressings for leg ulcers, nappies, and sudocrem to the elderly and incapacitated in the villages from which the children are brought. At present there are 7 working groups. Not all groups bring children to Ireland some groups have chosen to help with supplies. In December 2012 the charity became international and now has charitable status in Belarus.
