Le blog de fukushima-is-still-news

March 5, 2014

Japanese NPO aid for Chernobyl affected

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140305_32.html

Officials from a Japanese civic group that supports people affected by the 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl, Ukraine, say the current situation in the country is hampering their humanitarian activities.

The non-profit organization in Nagoya, central Japan, has been sending medical equipment and funds to its counterpart in Ukraine for 24 years. The aid is used to help workers who deal with the crippled power plant and to treat children suffering from radiation exposure.

It has also helped the Ukrainian civic group to grow rape, a crop whose roots are said to absorb radioactive substances in soil, and to produce bio-fuel from its seeds.

But late last month, the Ukrainian civic group asked the Nagoya NPO to stop making money transfers because of the turmoil in the country. It also said the group's members were unable to work because its office had been seized.

It also said that the provincial governor who had encouraged the growing of rape has resigned amid the current crisis.

Masaharu Kawata, a board member of the Nagoya NPO, says he is worried that they cannot continue to provide assistance to those who need it. He adds that he hopes the situation in Ukraine will calm down soon.

Mar. 5, 2014 - Updated 09:54 UTC