Japanese delegations to visit Chernobyl-affected areas in Gomel Oblast
GOMEL, 18 April (BelTA) – Delegations of the Japanese prefectures Fukui and Aichi will be in Gomel Oblast on 18-21 April on a working visit, BelTA learned from Lyudmila Lisyuk, Deputy Head of the Oblast Office for Alleviating Chernobyl Consequences.
The itineraries of the delegations are independent, however, they are both interested in Belarusian practices used to minimize consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. They are primarily interested in the state of health of the local population, agribusiness capabilities, and territory decontamination.
While in Gomel Oblast the Japanese delegations will visit medical institutions including the central district hospitals in Bragin, Khoiniki, Komarin, research institutions that specialize in Chernobyl-related matters, the Polesie state radiation ecology reserve, and the alienation area in Khoiniki District.
Lyudmila Lisyuk said six similar delegations have already visited Gomel Oblast since the beginning of the year. “Radiophobia is strong in Japan. Therefore, members of local level parliaments, researchers, public activists have started frequenting Belarus in order to see with their own eyes the country that was most affected by the ‘peaceful nuclear energy’ 26 years ago”.
