Env. Remediation Fund Central Asia

The waste is concentrated in the densely populated area of the Ferghana Valley located in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan with more than 14 million people.The current situation represents an imminent threat to the population and the environment. Based on a 2013 UN Resolution (UNGA Resolution 68/218 on "The role of the international community in averting the radiation threat in Central Asia"), a Strategic Master Plan (SMP) was developed identifying priority sites for interventions. The ERA will finance remediation works at seven of these sits. Detailed feasibility studies and environmenti pact assessments have been carried out.

Environmental remediation of the seven priority sites by reducing the radiation and pollutant exposure from contaminated soil, groundwater or surface water. The aim is to protect people and the environment from possible harmful effects.

Safe living conditions and environment for the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and especially the population living in the affected area, i.e. over 14 million people in the Ferghana Valley. While addressing the seven priority sites will significantly reduce the hazards stemming from the uranium legacy sites, this will not remove it completely as some sites with lower risk remain unremediated.

Erwartete Resultate:  

A thorough analysis of the movements of the contaminated material and the quantification of risks and the development of remediation solutions. The solutions depend on the specifics of each site. They often include fencing land, closing or covering shafts, tunnels and holes, moving dumps, protecting waterways and demolishing contaminated sites. he feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments form the basis for identifying suitable and state-of-the-art remediation solutions. They outline the best solutions in line with the highest security standards and best practices in the industry. Part of ERA's resources should also be available for TA, among others capacity building for local actors.