Belarus spends over USD 17 billion on Chernobyl aftermath mitigation over 20 years

After the USSR collapse Belarus started alleviating consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in most complicated conditions. It became a national priority, said Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko while delivering his speech to residents of the town of Bragin today. The head of state noted, last year the third state programme for overcoming Chernobyl catastrophe consequences was completed. "The central budget allocated almost Br 2 trillion for the programme implementation. Over 20 years the state has spent more than USD 17 billion on these purposes. The same amount was apportioned by non-budgetary funds," stated the Belarusian president. The work was integrated, the Belarusian leader believes. Almost 140,000 people were re-settled from radiation-polluted areas. Over 66,000 apartments and houses were built for the resettled. In clean areas 239 towns with all the necessary infrastructure were built. The Belarusian president pointed out, huge work was done to deliver gas supply across the affected territories. Thousands of kilometres of gas pipelines were built there. Such programmes as "Pure Water", "Clean Roads", "Clean Products" and others are being successfully implemented, added Alexander Lukashenko.