On 26th of April Ukraine marks a sad date not only in our history, but in history say the least of whole mankind. Twenty eight years ago coincidence of time and space of crucial facts led to massive nuclear disaster of human race which obtained the highest category under IAEA classification -7th category. The explosion yield of 4th reactor of Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant exceeded in 100 times destructive power of both nuclear bombs which whipped off the map Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
As a consequence 2,7 million people suffered from an accident, 103 thousands of which became disabled. Citizens of Pripyat and Chornobyl and other 74 villages have abandoned their homes. Exclusion zone that appeared in radius of 30 kilometers is nearly equal in size to state square of Luxemburg. Total amount of polluted territory is more than 55 thousands km2 in 74 regions and 12 provinces.
Destroyed power-generating unit became a symbol of helplessness of soviet system, corporate irresponsibility and criminal act of communist regime against its own country and people. This tragedy has scared hundreds of people’s fates, but at the same time it afforded an opportunity to demonstrate a greatness of human spirit of all those who was related to remedial action after the disaster. It let to see sincerity of millions hearts from across the globe. Chornobyl disaster became a common goal for many countries, such kind of a super-project that can be compared by size only with the Pyramids and by cost only with with the highest skyscraper in the world – Burj Khalifa (Dubai, UAE).
In 1997 Chornobyl Shelter Fund has been created at the initiative of G-8 states, the European Commission and Ukraine in an attempt to collect necessary financial resources. Since then conferences by contributing countries of Fund have been held in new-York (1997), Berlin (2000), London ( 2005) and Kiev (2011). In above said conferences also took part other countries that had made weighty contributions. Up to date 1,54 milliard euro have been collected in general for Chornobyl projects, which is significantly much more then primary costs “Shelter” contraction and realization of other projects.
The EU, USA, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Italy and Russian Federation are the top ten contributors of Chornobyl Shelter Fund.
During all years of independence Ukraine spends from 1,8% to 2,5 % GDP on damage control and social safety of aggrieved people including direct contribution in the amount of 129,7 million euro.
Particularly the role of EBRD should to be noted. Aside from highly-efficient performance of administrative function it has contributed a part of its profits to Chornobyl Shelter Fund. The general amount of contribution is 325 million euro.
In spite of negative impact of financial and economic crisis in 2008 that feels up to this day it ought to be noted that obtained commitments were effectively performed especially by European countries which were near default.
A single country that haven’t demonstrated any active performance in obtained commitment is Saudi Arabia.
The main goal of Chornobyl Shelter Fund is to finance projects on stabilization of existed Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant sarcophagus and construction of New Safe Confinement that should cover contaminated area at least for 100 years.
Herein it should be noted that about 97% of radioactive material from 4th reactor is still located in half-ruined sarcophagus.
Project and construction works of New Safe Confinement are held by NOVARKA company, joint venture of French Vinci Construction Grands Projets і Bouygues Travaux Publics companies.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development acts as a financial administrator of Chornobyl Shelter Fund.
The New Safe Confinement in fully build-up condition should have 257 meters in lenth, 164 meters in width, 110 meters in height and 29 thousands ton in weight.The estimated date of end of construction is planned for 2017.
Additionally:
Infographics of international community support http://bit.ly/chornobyl_infoInteractive map of Chornobyl programs contributors href="http://bit.ly/chornobyl_donors">http://bit.ly/chornobyl_donors
