Background Information
GCB started in 1989 as the public group ‘Doctors For Children’ which became ‘Green Cross Belarus’ in 1999. GC Belarus employs professionals on a voluntary basis from a range of different sectors such as scientists, medical practitioners, engineers, teachers, artists, writers and educators.
GC Belarus was founded primarily as a response to the Chernobyl catastrophe that contaminated 25% of Belarus and about two million Belarusians were affected by the catastrophe.
The main objectives of GC Belarus through numerous programs and initiatives include:
• To promote an ecological perspective in all spheres of human activity for the sake of preserving life on the planet and sustainable development in the economy.
• To advance co-operation between governmental institutions, civil society, scientists and youth through various joint initiatives to solve ecological, scientific, educational, cultural, and health-related problems.
• To promote environmental education and awareness amongst children and adults and to develop future innovative initiatives in all spheres of human activity.
• To assist the general public by providing expertise in disaster recovery in ecological disaster zones.
• To develop international co-operation in the fields of ecology, science, education and health care and to educate future generations in order to mitigate the impact of local or global environmental crises.
International programs
GC Belarus’ programmes are implemented within two priority areas: Social and Medical Rehabilitation and Environmental Education.
Since 1989, GC Belarus’ social and medical care programmes have reached more than 35,000 people in areas throughout Belarus, Russia and Ukraine that were contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster.
Therapy camps
The Green Cross therapy camps operate across the region affected by the Chernobyl disaster and chemical weapon stockpile areas. The aim of the programme is to support, counsel and provide medical care to children born in the Chernobyl region since 1986. The majority of children in this region have chronic problems with their respiratory, digestive and endocrine systems. Thus, camp is an opportunity for them to receive treatment, rest and a positive atmosphere for personal development and recreational activities.
Mother and Child Project
The Mother and Child Project was initiated to support mothers and children to cope with the effect of radioactive contamination by providing focused medical care as well as educating households on preventive measures to reduce exposure to radioactivity. Over a period of 21 days
Individual Health Related Programmes
Medical experts have developed an efficient monitoring and evaluation database on 52,000 inhabitants in the ecological disasters zones and have continued the medical analysis of these results in order to propose successful health care systems and preventive strategies.
GC Belarus has also implemented 24 rehabilitation camps for 6,203 children in the Chernobyl region and the various chemical weapon stockpiles regions throughout Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. To date, more than 1,264 mothers and 1,428 pre-school children have received health care and training on radiological safety, food cleaning and preventive measures. A comprehensive family based health care program has been put into place in several communities.
As part of the Social and Medical Care Programe, GC Belarus has organised 72 national and international seminars and therapy camps for children, students and teachers from seven countries; national festivals and contests in which 33,000 children and 9,000 teachers from eight countries participated in.
In 2005, GCB was awarded the National Ecological Award, the ‘Eco-World 2005,’ having been nominated in the ‘Ecology and Health’ section by the Russian Duma and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
In 2006 GCB was awarded awarded 2 Diplomas from the Chernobyl Ministry of Belarus.
Communication & events
26th June - 7th July, 2007
Inter-Eco-School
This International Children’s camp from Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine will involve master-classes, expeditions, experiments, discussions, sports activities and will take place at GC Belarus Headquarters.
International Drawing Contest Results in Belarus 'In My HomeLand'
The International Drawing Contest coordinated by GC Belarus has been a huge success. The competition attracted 7579 drawings from 11 countries: a total of 4 more countries and 1000 more participants than previous years - all without advertising. The jury comprised art teachers from 4 countries, who were selected due to their having taught the previous years' winners; putting them on the jury was a way of recognizing their teaching skills. 105 drawings were graded 1 to 3, and given diplomas accordingly; 521 drawings were awarded as 'Member of the International Art Exhibition;' 860 as 'Participants of the International Contest;' and the remaining children received 'Thank-you letters. The Palace of the Republic, in Minsk, will display the winning drawings from 6th April, and due to the massive number of participants, there will also be an online 'gallery'.
