During post-Chernobyl period, mitigation of the consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe has been one of the top national priorities. In addition to environmental impacts, the legacy of the Chernobyl has social and economic consequences which can hardly be addressed by the government without international support. In 2001-2002, while preparing the report the World Bank experts analyzed the programs and documents of the Government and the institutions helping Belarus to mitigate the Chernobyl impacts, surveyed different categories of the affected population.

The Chernobyl Review highlights major post-Chernobyl problems for the country and offers possible solutions. The experts recommend to focus attention on highly contaminated areas; to find new ways of informing the public about a healthy lifestyle; to re-consider approaches to economic development of the affected regions and to streamline the government programs aimed at provision of support to the population. The World Bank is currently assisting in elaborating the project intended to mitigate the Chernobyl consequences and to support development of the affected areas.