WorldMeteorological Oryanization (WMO) 35.WMOwasamongtheorganizations whichresponded quickly totheChernobyl accident. Incloseco-operation withIAEAandotherinternational organizations, WMOwasactively involved inestablishing aninternational emergency response systeffitonuclear accidents. 36.Byagreement withtraInternational AtomicEnergyAgency, theWorld Weather WatchGlobalTelecommunication System (GTS)ofWMOisusedtotransmit radioactivity dataandrelevant meteorological datainsupport oftheIAEA Convention onEarlyNotification ofNuclear Accidents. TheWMOExecutive Council Working GrouponAccidental Releases ofHazardous Materials hasdealt withthelessons learned fromtheChernobyl accident andisco-ordinating the efforts ofmemberStatesinmonitoring radioactivity andpredicting the atmospheric transport, deposition anddispersion ofradionuclides.E/1990/97 page7 31.Theagreement callsfortheestablishment, inthecityofObninsk, USSR, ofaninternational centreforradiation healthconcerns withbranches in Kiev,MinskandBryansk. TheCentrewillco-ordinate theworkofresearch and medical institutions involved inprogramme implementation. OtherGovernments, institutions andindividual experts arebeinginvitedtopaLticipate inthe international programme byproviding expertise, equipment andresources. It isexpected thatotherinternational organizations willcontribute tothework intheirareasofcompetence. 32.Ameeting of~epresentatives ofWHOCollaborating Centres inRadiation Emergency Medical Preparedness andAssistance, convened inLeningrad from 21to24May1990,commented onthefirstdraftoftheProgramme andexplored thepossible contribution oftheCentres. Duringtheremainder of1990,itis planned toestablish andconvene aScientific Advisory Crnmnittee toreviewand adviseontheproposed programme ofactivities withtheparticipation ofother Governments andtheirresearch institutions andscientists. 33.Otheractivities supporting thisnewinitiative concerned withthehealth effects oftheChernobyl accident include theworkofthenetwork ofWHO Collaborating Centres onRadiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance (RAMPAN). Thenetwork promotes thestrengthening ofpreparedness inmemberStatesforradiation emergencies andcanprovide medical assistance topeopleaffected byradiation exposure. Italsoincludes thedevelopment andoperation oftheWHO/UNEP GlobalEnvironment Radiation Monitoring Network (GERMON), thepurpose ofwhichistocollect dataonenvironmental radiation throughout theworldandtofacilitate theexchange ofinformation inthecase ofmaiorradioactive releases (seepara.50). 34.TheWHORegional OfficeforEurope, incollaboration withtheAllUnion Research CentreforRadiation Medicine inKiev,isimplementing activities withemphasis onepidemiological surveys andpsychological effects ofnuclear accidents. Anumberofexpertmeetings arebeingheldin1990and1991on subjects suchaspsychological effects oftheChernobyl accident, effects of radionuclides onthethyroid glandandprospective investigations ofthe effects oftheChernobyl accident onthehealthofthepopulation. WorldMeteorological Or~anization (WMO) 35.WMOwasamongtheorganizations whichresponded quickly totheChernobyl accident. Incloseco-operation withIAEAandotherinternational organizations, WMOwasactively involved inestablishing aninternational emergency response systeffitonuclear accidents. 36.Byagreement withtraInternational AtomicEnergy Agency, theWorld Weather WatchGlobalTelecommunication System (GTS)ofWMOisusedtotransmit radioactivity dataandrelevant meteorological datainsupport oftheIAEA Convention onEarlyNotification ofNuclear Accidents. TheWMOExecutive Council Working GrouponAccidental Releases ofHazardous Materials hasdealt withthelessons learned fromtheChernobyl accident andisco-ordinating the efforts ofmemberStatesinmonitoring radioactivity andpredicting the atmospheric transport, deposition anddispersion ofradionuclides. E/1990/97 page8 37.WithinWHO'sscopeofactivity, theHydrology andWaterResources Programme isrelevant toalleviating thelonger-term consequences ofpast accidents, asradioactive waterpollution isamongthemostserious long-term consequences.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the response to the Chernobyl accident and the establishment of international programs and networks to monitor and mitigate the effects of nuclear accidents. It highlights the involvement of international organizations such as WMO, IAEA, and WHO, and the coordination of efforts among member states. The text also mentions the importance of scientific research and expertise in addressing the health effects of the accident.

**Category**
Health, Science and technology