The demographic situation in areas affected by the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is now catastrophic. The death rate is several times higher than the birth rate. In the Republic of Belarus, the demographic index (the difference between fertility and mortality) has shown negative values since 1994, representing in 2005, -5.9%0. A similar situation has been observed in most regions of Ukraine that have been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

The increased mortality has been closely associated with cardiovascular disease and malignant neoplasms, which have increased steadily each year.

 Decline in fertility is due to a dysfunction of male and female reproductive systems, which induce pathological foetal development.

At present, this complex radiation environment in the most affected areas is worrisome to say the least. The main danger for human health is caused by radio-nuclides Cs-137 and Sr-90, which enter the organism through food. 

Many areas in Ukraine and Belarus are also contaminated by agents of a chemical and physical nature such as lead, pesticides, and nitrogen compounds. When these are combined with radioactive elements, they are extremely dangerous to human and animal health.

The constant presence of radio-nuclides Cs-137 in humans induces a complex set of changes affecting the vital organs and systems which they govern. This includes the processes of destruction and reconstruction. As a result, persons living in areas affected by the Chernobyl accident have certain characteristics of their metabolism and the functioning of their vital organs that do not allow us to classify them as healthy. In these circumstances, the approaches to treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of specific diseases (infectious diseases, injuries, etc.) should take these specificities into account.

When developing diets of the population, it is necessary to take into account the specificities of the metabolism of people who have been exposed to radiation agents. It is assumed that the metabolism of persons living in areas polluted with radioactive elements has substantially changed.  This requires the development and the introduction of diets that provide a correction of existing dysfunctions. Food should not contain any radioactive elements whatsoever.

The populations now living in areas polluted with radioactive elements are in a very difficult situation, not only because of the lack of material and social support from the state, but also because of the lack of prospects for the future of the region in which they live. In areas contaminated by radioactive elements, it is forbidden to build and set up industries- which provide sources for new jobs, and material and financial support.

This situation undoubtedly affects the morale of those forced to remain under continuous radiation exposure in the absence of adequate logistical, medical and social welfare.

Governments, such as the one in the former USSR, and in the current republics of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, have not been able to solve the main humanitarian problems resulting from the Chernobyl accident, the consequences of which has been the current state of health of the population in the affected regions.

The problems of Chernobyl should be brought to the attention of the whole world, primarily because of the lack of awareness of how very serious these problems are. Objective scientific information must be provided and widely disseminated.

The position of concealing the true extent of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the reluctance to implement the necessary measures to protect the health of people is inhumane. Objective information is urgently needed. Indeed, real action to ensure adequate protection of the health of the population constantly in contact with radiation agents is desperately needed.

Unilateral acts (in the field of medicine or the socio-economic sphere), taken over the past 20 years in this region, have not yielded positive results in terms of improving people's health. This, in our opinion, is due to the lack of a comprehensive life-support program in the areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The difficult economic situation in the former Soviet Union, including Belarus and Ukraine, does not allow for state-level anti-radiation measures to be taken in full. This lack of action will undoubtedly exacerbate the demographic situation and health status of the populations.

We conclude therefore that the only possible way out of this situation is through help from the international community based on democratic principles of cooperation. This requires providing reliable scientific information on health to the international community. It also requires active participation of the international community in promoting the adoption of effective measures to overcome the humanitarian consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

In this regard, the main goal of the Centre for "Ecology and Health”, established in Ukraine, is to inform the international community about the situation in areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The Centre also seeks to coordinate the efforts of doctors, ecologists, economists, industrialists, politicians etc. as well as to develop a set of measures aimed at ensuring the safety of people living in the contaminated areas.

The project, entitled "Integrated Model of livelihoods in the area of radioactive contamination”, aims to coordinate the efforts of the international community to devise measures for the population to live safely when exposed to radiation in one of the most highly contaminated areas of Ukraine.  The lessons learned in the region will subsequently be disseminated to other contaminated areas. 

The main objective of the project is to create an effective model of livelihood in conditions of radiation exposure, as a way to improve the demographic situation and the health of people living in the affected areas.

The main objective of the project is to establish an effective model of livelihoods in conditions of radiation exposure as a way of improving the demographics and the health of the people living in areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster. The project is based on the principles of collective and individual radiation protection of population.

After analysing the situation created after the Chernobyl disaster, and in consultation with representatives of regional authorities, it was decided that the Ivankov District in the Kiev Region would be chosen to serve as the main pilot area. This district is one of the most heavily contaminated in the region, with very high levels of Cs-137 and Sr-90 radio-nuclides.

The main objectives of the project are the following:

1. To draw up a modern map that will reflect true data about the radioactive contamination of Ivankov area. This map will be used as a basis to provide works on to  improve the biological chain “ soil-plant-animal-man”.
2. To provide harmless, preventive and rational nutrition for the population of the model area. Radiation monitoring of the population of the model area will take place.
3. The public will be informed about the serious health issues facing the population living in the contaminated zones. The goal of this initiative is to attract international attention and humanitarian support, especially given the current government’s policy of misinformation. Information support of the population of the model area.
4. A modern medical healthcare centre will be set up which will provide systematic and thorough medical examinations and adequate treatment, along with appropriate preventive measures for the patients.
5. The Central Regional Hospital in the city of Ivankov, with all necessary medical and diagnostic equipment, will make treatment available to patients who have been exposed to radioactive contaminants. The Regional Hospital will also work towards the prevention of diseases associated with exposure to radioactive elements.
6. To protect the health of the liquidators of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the victims of nuclear contamination, new, advanced methods of treatment and prevention will be developed for diseases caused by exposure to radiation. To this end, the Centre for Rehabilitation of victims of the Chernobyl disaster in Kiev must be renovated. The Centre will bring together the experience and knowledge acquired over the years in the rehabilitation of persons affected by external and internal radiation exposure.
7. To provide rehabilitation programs for the children with impaired activity of the cardiovascular system living in the areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
8. To prevent the development of mother-child pathology throughout the territory of the model area.
9. To develop and implement technologies for the production of healthy food in the model area.
10. To sponsor and to promote an "International Arts Festival" in Ivankov (April 2011) for 25th° anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, as a example of solidarity from the international community with the population living in the areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
11. To promote circulation of the film "Chernobyl Heart of Europe".