Assistance on Nuclear Safety and Security by supporting the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Expert Missions to Ukraine


Since Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA’s) Response and Assistance Network (RANET) has provided technical assistance to Ukraine. In January 2023, the IAEA addressed to its Member States, including Switzerland, crucial extra budgetary funding needs amounting to Euro 11.8 Mio for the year 2023. This funding supports the IAEA Experts Missions to Ukraine to ensure nuclear safety and security; mitigates humanitarian protection of human live and health, disaster resilience and environmental protection.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Ukraine
Climate change and environment
Disaster risk reduction DRR
20.09.2023 - 31.12.2024
CHF  1’050’000
Background The IAEA established in early 2022 the “Seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security”. Since September 2022 the IAEA has been present through the “IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya” (ISAMZ), which allowed the Agency to continuously monitor the situation. Since January 2023 the IAEA has stationed Experts at other Ukrainian nuclear facilities. This extra-budgetary assistance is aimed at increasing nuclear safety and security, preventing a nuclear accident.
On May 30, 2023, the IAEA Director-General established, through a United Nations Security Council meeting under Swiss Presidency, the so called “Five principles” to ensure the safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Additional needs for assistance have been identified, e.g. medical support. The Swiss contribution will enable further technical support and assistance to Ukraine in line with these activities.
With the severe damage at the Nova Kakhovka dam June 6, the ZNPP saw a further deterioration of the situation, notably because of a significant reduction in the level of the reservoir used to supply water to cool the facility’s six reactors. 
Objectives The IAEA provides essential support through its continued reinforced presence through expert teams, helping stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine, and decrase the risk of a nuclear incidenct or accident.
Target groups Ukrainian Government, Nuclear Power Plant Operators, Nucler Power Plant workers, Local Community, International Community 
Medium-term outcomes Continous presence through IAEA Experts on mission to the Ukrainian nuclear facilities (SUNPP, KhNPP, RvNPP, ZNPP and ChNPP) empowers improved and deepened understanding of the situation based on personal observation, assessment and facilitated strengthened reporting, information sharing and provision of required technical support and assistance. 
Results

Expected results:  

The continued presence at the nuclear sites will be implemented through a rotation policy, with a team of 2 IAEA staff members at each site:

Nuclear Power Plant Sites monitored:
ChNPP Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
KhNPP Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant
RvNPP Rivne Nuclear Power Plant
SUNPP Pivdennoukrainsk Nuclear Power Plant
ZNPP Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant


Results from previous phases:   The Swiss support so far was two-pronged. On the one hand, the support to the IAEA activities included material deliveries in Q1 2023 via the Response and Assistance Network (RANET), including over 147’000 pairs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and 200’000 packs of iodine tablets donated to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. On the other hand, Switzerland has been providing political support, including in several bilateral and multilateral contacts between Federal Councillor I. Cassis Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the IAEA Drector General R. Grossi. Particularly noteworthy is a joint side-event (Q3 2022) with the IAEA DG in New York to take forward the ‘Seven Pillars’ as well as a UN Security Council meeting (Q2 2023), followed by a stake out in front of the international press, to support the ‘Five Principles.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Other International Organization
  • Other OI
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)


Coordination with other projects and actors Good Governance: promoting transparency accountability e.g. SDC EGAP Programm
Technical Expertise and Knowledge sharing: in this field e.g. with the Labor Spiez
Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection whereas Switzerland has a strong commitment e.g. WASH programm UA, Swiss recovery and reconstruction agenda
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’050’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’050’000
Project phases Phase 1 20.09.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase)