Ukraine has already received €15M from donor countries to restore Chornobyl zone

Ukraine has received EUR 15 million from donors for the reconstruction of the Chornobyl zone, and a total of EUR 225 million is expected to arrive from international partners.

international partners.

"We have developed a recovery plan together with the Ministry of Environment which we are currently approving at the state level. It has been agreed upon with donors and is already being filled with funds. And the measures to restore the exclusion zone with the help of the international community are starting to be implemented," Head of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management Yevhen Kramarenko said during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform on April 3.

The official clarified that the restoration plan consisted of nine points, it was designed for EUR 225 million, although the damage from the occupation was about EUR 100 million. It is about not only restoring normal functioning, but also improving the operation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and creating a scientific hub in the territory of the exclusion zone.

The plan also provides for mine clearance operations in the entire territory, restoration of computer and office equipment, infrastructure and equipment for handling radioactive materials.

According to the head of the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, as of today, it was possible to obtain EUR 15 million for these purposes. The European Commission, the EBRD, the U.S. Department of Energy, Norway, Great Britain, and Germany are among the main donors.

Within the framework of the plan implementation, it has already been possible to restore radiation control at checkpoints, licensing activities of enterprises regarding radioactive waste management, partially restore computer equipment, and obtain firefighting equipment that will partially replace the stolen one.

"With the help of international donors, we are already taking measures to restore the exclusion zone, and according to our plans, this territory will not only recover but also improve in 1-2 years," Kramarenko concluded.

In April, the State Agency representatives plan to hold a meeting with donors in Oslo to discuss the expansion of support and cooperation.

As reported, EUR 1 million is needed to inspect the unstable structures of the Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl NPP. In this matter, Ukraine is counting on the support of French partners.