Population of radionuclide-contaminated areas shrinks by 1.6 percent in year

April 26, Pozirk. The number of people living in the areas of Belarus contaminated with radionuclides has decreased by 1.6 percent over the past year.
Łarysa Basałaj, an official with the Ministry of Emergency Management, told reporters in Minsk that more than 930,000 people, including 185,000 children, lived in 2,000 settlements in contaminated areas at the beginning of the year.
According to Biełstat, 945,100 people, including 189,000 children, lived there on January 1, 2023.
Another ministry official, Ekaciaryna Šmialova, said the government is to spend more than 150 million rubels ($45.86 million) in 2024 to reclaim the affected areas and implement protective measures.
She added that 248,800 hectares of contaminated land is out of agricultural production. Most of it is now covered with forests.
According to her, only 20,000 hectares have been put back into agricultural use since the Chernobyl disaster.
Also read: Nearly 40 years after nuclear disaster, radioactive substances still dangerous, scientist says
- PoliticsAt least 33 sent for forced treatment on political grounds since 2020The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityHomiel region checks radiation after Zelensky reports Chernobyl strikeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRunaway athlete’s ex-husband back in Minsk, ready to cooperate with investigatorsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsImprisoned activist's book declared extremistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank’s net foreign-currency assets up 0.7 percent in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyMAZ truck sales in Russia drop 32 percent y/yThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsMinsk’s rights violations amount to crimes against humanity – UN expertsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelGee sales in Russia falling since NovemberThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsGovernment brands 18 people as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja condemns Russia’s drone attack on Chernobyl reactor shieldThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics
- Politics, SocietyPro-government sociologists: more than 70 percent trust law enforcersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, PoliticsEcuador's president congratulates Łukašenka on seventh term in officeThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Belarusians’ online activities in focusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja meets with US diplomat who took prisoners out of BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus to build 4.5 million sq. m of housing this year, more than in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMore than 27,000 genetic passports issued in Belarus – scientistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityBelarusian drill draws on the experience of war in UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityCIS draft anti-terrorist program sent for revisionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SportInvestigators launch probe against dissident athlete's ex-husbandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyAliyev optimistic about Azerbaijan-Belarus relationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyMedical tourism up 20 percent in 2024 – officialThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFlying object shot down over Homiel as Russia attacked Ukraine last night – reportsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCoE local body to appoint a special rapporteur on BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus, Cuba set to expand trade in goods by 2030The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsRFE/RL hopes for release of journalist ŁosikThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja’s adviser rejects speculations of US lawyer’s releaseThe material is available only to POZIRK+