CIL Research Associate Manisha Regalla attended a webinar organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Incident and Emergency Centre (IAEA IEC) entitled ‘Non-radiological consequences of a nuclear or radiological emergency: concept and case studies’, which was held on 23 June 2021. The purpose of the webinar was to highlight the importance of considering the non-radiological consequences of nuclear emergencies when designing emergency plans.

The webinar featured exclusive insights into research being conducted by the IEC in relation to the impacts suffered by victims of nuclear or radiological events, specifically the psychological, societal and economic impacts. By drawing on the results of surveys done in the aftermath of the radiological emergency in Goiânia, Brazil and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, the speakers presented the various aspects of psychological trauma victims face in the aftermath of such accidents. It was also shown that certain factors such as the lack of effective public information systems and transparency in the emergency systems could further aggravate the impacts suffered, which also tend to be interrelated. An in-depth analysis of how the community in the southwestern parts of Belarus was impacted by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident was also provided, highlighting the various roles that the government, medical community and society play in the aftermath of such an emergency.

Opening remarks were given by Ramon De La Vega, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, IAEA-IEC. The speakers were Alena Nikalayenka, Head of Laboratory of Radiation Safety Practical Centre of Hygiene, Belarus, and Muzna Assi, IAEA-IEC Emergency Preparedness Officer, who was also the moderator for the event.