38.Ongoing WMOactivities withinthehydrology fieldinclude thepreparation ofamanualonhydrological aspects ofaccidental pollution ofwaterbodies. Theaimistoprovide guidance tohydrological services andwaterauthorities ontheroletheymightplayinminimizing theimpactofaccidental pollution, inparticular whereanemergency response iscalledforinthecaseofthe accidental release ofhazardous materials. Twomeetings ofexperts onthe subject wereheldinthisconnection, atY-ievinApril1989andatViennain April1990.Thetimetable, asagreedatthesemeetings, foresees the publication ofthemanualintimefortheEleventh WMOCongress (1991). 39.Anewproject ontransport, dispersion andretenti( ~fhazardous m;fI;"''''' materials intheaquaticenvironment isdesigned toinvestigate problems ,'!4;""' relating tomonitoring, prediction andretention ofpollutants. Itwill involve, inconjunction withIAEA,anevaluation ofmodelsforthetransport anddispersion ofhazardous materials insoilsandwaterbodiesandwillalso promote thestudyofoperational methods forsediment transport measurement in developing countries, particularly through training activities. Itwill reviewnewmethods ofexamining theexchange ofpollutants between waterand sediment. 40.Inthelightoftheaboveinformation, itshouldbeemphasized thatWMO isreadytoparticipate inmissions forfurther assessment ofradioactive waterpollution intheareasaffected bytheChernobyl accident ifsuch further assessment isrequired. THEUNITED NATIONS Department ofInternational Economic andSocialAffairs 41.Initsstudies onglobaleconomic andsocialissues, theDepartment takes intoconsideration theeconomic andsocialeffects ofnatural disasters and man-made environmental disasters suchasthereactor explosion atChernobyl. Department ofTechnical Co-operation forDevelopment 42.WhiletheDepartro~nt isnotinaposition todealwiththeradiological effects oftheaccident, anddoesnothaveongoing projects intheregion,it possesses expertise inareasthatcouldbehelpful inthebroader context of redressing thesevereeconomic andsocialdislocations thathaveresulted. In thisregardtheDepartment couldparticipate inaninternational programme of co-operation, asenvisaged bytheEconomic andSocialCouncil inits decision 1990/211, insubstantive fieldswithinitscompetence, suchas ovnrall waterresources planning, management anddevelopment, formulating economic development plansfortheregionandpopulation affected, supporting localandregiona~ government institutions inadministering rehabilitation and mitigation programmes, assisti~g intheevaluation ofpublicinfrastructure needsintheperiodahead,andintheapplication ofthelatestsurveying and cartographic techniques forphysical planning. TheDepartment standsreadyto participate inaninternational programme ofcc-operation andmakeavailable itsexpertise i~theseareas. ~--.--_.- ..Economic 43.In Byelorue Republic consequE internat Commissi (a) meansof Industry (b) andSeni (c) Industri (d) onEngin (e) copewit Housing, United N 44.In Socialis isprepa co-opera Chernoby 45.In countrie~ disasters pre-disa~ theCentl asafo1 Internat" onHuman washeld afollow­ oftheUS onseismi Officeof 46.InI Soviet Sc March199 after-eff agencies, gatheredE/l990/97 page8 37.WithinWHO'sscopeofactivity, theHydrology andWaterResources Programme isrelevant toalleviating thelonger-term consequences ofpast accidents, asradioactive waterpollution isamongthemostserious long-term consequences. 38.Ongoing WMOactivities withinthehydrology fieldinclude thepreparation ofamanualonhydrological ~spects ofaccidental pollution ofwaterbodies. Theaimistoprovide guidance tohydrological services andwaterauthorities ontheroletheymightplayinminimizing theimpactofaccidental pollution, inparticular whereanemergency response iscalledforinthecaseofthe accidental release ofhazardous materials. Twomeetings ofexperts onthe subject wereheldinthisconnection, atf-ievinApril1989andatViennain April1990.Thetimetable, asagreedatthesemeetings, foresees the
**Analysis**
The text discusses the impact of the Chernobyl accident on the environment and the efforts of international organizations to mitigate its effects. It highlights the work of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in addressing the consequences of the accident, including radioactive water pollution and its effects on global economic and social issues.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Health