Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MINSK780
2005-07-15 05:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:
INTERNATIONAL CHERNOBYL REHABILITATION PROGRAM:
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSK #0780 1960547 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 150547Z JUL 05 FM AMEMBASSY MINSK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2568 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0019 RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KIEV 2834
UNCLAS MINSK 000780
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
KIEV FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AORC SENV UNDP BO
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CHERNOBYL REHABILITATION PROGRAM:
URGING USG PARTICIPATION
This is an action request. See para 5.
2. The International Program Cooperation for Rehabilitation
(CORE) was established in 2002 following a UN report on the
remaining consequences in Belarus of the Chernobyl disaster.
According to UNDP officials who briefed DCM and poloff
recently, the report signaled a shift in assistance
priorities from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation
and development. The Declaration of CORE principles, which
were signed by 27 international partners, including the
majority of Western embassies and international
organizations in Belarus (but not the USG),emphasizes the
importance of sustainability, integrated approach and the
involvement of local populations in assistance projects.
The Chernobyl Children International, an offshoot of an
Irish organization, which recently registered as a U.S. NGO,
and the Mott foundation, are also signatories, according to
the local UNDP reps.
3. The CORE program itself is a mechanism through which
projects in the Chernobyl region initiated by local groups
can be matched up with interested donors. UNDP as the
coordinator and administrator compiles the projects, screens
them and then makes them available for donors. Financing
can then be channeled directly to the implementer or through
UNDP. Technically, the program is still in a pilot phase
and operates in only four districts of Belarus - Bragin,
Chechersk, Stolin and Slavograd (Brest, Gomel and Mogilev
oblasts) - but is expected to be expanded soon. In the
first year of operation, 2004, 50-60 projects were
supported; this year 42 projects have been identified in the
first of two rounds. In addition to these small projects,
the CORE framework includes larger, "topical" projects in
the areas, of education, radiation information, health and
agriculture. TACIS has committed two million Euros to fund
topical projects, mainly in the health field.
4. CORE small projects, which focused on independent
information and education on radiation levels, environment,
youth and women's health, are not unlike those implemented
by the US NGO Counterpart before it was de-registered by
Belarusian authorities. The UNDP program officer, who
earlier worked for Counterpart, noted that many of the local
groups that Counterpart supported are now working with UNDP.
5. ACTION Request: Post urges Department to explore with
UNDP the possibility of working with CORE. UNDP reps note
that signing on to the CORE principles is not a funding
commitment. CORE participation can leverage assistance
dollars because UNDP pre-screens projects and performs other
administrative services out of its own funds. Moreover,
project registration is facilitated because the program
enjoys the support of the GOB and being under UNDP auspices,
USG supported activities would not attract the attention of
GOB authorities. CORE could offer a relatively easy avenue
to expand USG involvement in Chernobyl rehabilitation, an
area in which we have not been active.
KROL
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
KIEV FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AORC SENV UNDP BO
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CHERNOBYL REHABILITATION PROGRAM:
URGING USG PARTICIPATION
This is an action request. See para 5.
2. The International Program Cooperation for Rehabilitation
(CORE) was established in 2002 following a UN report on the
remaining consequences in Belarus of the Chernobyl disaster.
According to UNDP officials who briefed DCM and poloff
recently, the report signaled a shift in assistance
priorities from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation
and development. The Declaration of CORE principles, which
were signed by 27 international partners, including the
majority of Western embassies and international
organizations in Belarus (but not the USG),emphasizes the
importance of sustainability, integrated approach and the
involvement of local populations in assistance projects.
The Chernobyl Children International, an offshoot of an
Irish organization, which recently registered as a U.S. NGO,
and the Mott foundation, are also signatories, according to
the local UNDP reps.
3. The CORE program itself is a mechanism through which
projects in the Chernobyl region initiated by local groups
can be matched up with interested donors. UNDP as the
coordinator and administrator compiles the projects, screens
them and then makes them available for donors. Financing
can then be channeled directly to the implementer or through
UNDP. Technically, the program is still in a pilot phase
and operates in only four districts of Belarus - Bragin,
Chechersk, Stolin and Slavograd (Brest, Gomel and Mogilev
oblasts) - but is expected to be expanded soon. In the
first year of operation, 2004, 50-60 projects were
supported; this year 42 projects have been identified in the
first of two rounds. In addition to these small projects,
the CORE framework includes larger, "topical" projects in
the areas, of education, radiation information, health and
agriculture. TACIS has committed two million Euros to fund
topical projects, mainly in the health field.
4. CORE small projects, which focused on independent
information and education on radiation levels, environment,
youth and women's health, are not unlike those implemented
by the US NGO Counterpart before it was de-registered by
Belarusian authorities. The UNDP program officer, who
earlier worked for Counterpart, noted that many of the local
groups that Counterpart supported are now working with UNDP.
5. ACTION Request: Post urges Department to explore with
UNDP the possibility of working with CORE. UNDP reps note
that signing on to the CORE principles is not a funding
commitment. CORE participation can leverage assistance
dollars because UNDP pre-screens projects and performs other
administrative services out of its own funds. Moreover,
project registration is facilitated because the program
enjoys the support of the GOB and being under UNDP auspices,
USG supported activities would not attract the attention of
GOB authorities. CORE could offer a relatively easy avenue
to expand USG involvement in Chernobyl rehabilitation, an
area in which we have not been active.
KROL