Over 26,000 children from Chernobyl-affected areas improve health at sanatoriums of Belarus, Russia

Since 2002, more than 26,000 children from Belarusian and Russian regions affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident have undergone recuperation and treatment at the best sanatoriums of the two countries, Natalya Kononova, a consultant at the Minsk office of the Standing Committee of the Belarus-Russia Union State, told reporters, BelTA has learned.

“Every year since 2002, we have been running treatment and recuperation programs for children living in Belarusian and Russian regions that were affected by the Chernobyl accident the most. Over these years, we have sent more than 26,000 children to the best sanatoriums of Belarus and Russia. The Standing Committee of the Union State organizes competitions to choose sanatoriums and spas, concludes agreements with the administrations of the regions affected by the Chernobyl accident. Over more than 20 years, RUB570 million has been allocated for this purpose, which is a lot, in addition to the funds allocated by Belarus and Russia to eliminate the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. One of the main goals of our work is to introduce the younger generation to the cultural and historical heritage of the two countries, to help them make friends. Contacts are often built not only between children, but also between educational institutions. They stay in touch for many years,” said Natalya Kononova.

Speaking about plans for 2024, she informed that 37 events worth more than RUB1.9 million are to be implemented in the Union State. “They include 25 social and humanitarian events, 14 events involving students. The main state customers of our youth events are the Education Ministry of Belarus, the Education Ministry of Russia, the Culture Ministry of Belarus and the Ministry of Culture of Russia, the Sports and Tourism Ministry of Belarus and the Ministry of Sport of Russia, as well as the Union State Standing Committee. Every year, significant funds are allocated from the Union State budget for social projects,” the consultant noted.

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