Vienna, 22 April 2010 | Nuclear and radioactive material from hospitals, power plants or industrial facilities can be abandoned, lost, or even stolen.
Early detection of these sources is essential to bring the material under control and protect the public from exposure to radiation, prevent environmental contamination or an act of terrorism.
Today, a state-of-the-art mobile radiation detection unit, destined for Ukraine, was handed over to the IAEA at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
The vehicle, which costs around half a million Euros, has been donated by Finland and Sweden and will be used to strengthen Ukraine's nuclear security efforts in advance of the UEFA EURO 2012 European football championship. The vehicle will assist Ukraine in its security strategy for the event.
The IAEA, as part of its nuclear security programme, is facilitating the transfer of the unit to Ukraine. In addition, the Agency will work with experts from Finland to provide training on how to operate the vehicle.
The IAEA helps its Member States to establish and maintain effective national nuclear security regimes.
Activities include strengthening border controls and planning for nuclear security at major public events, such as the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, 2010 South American Games in Colombia and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
At last week's Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, leaders from 47 countries expressed strong support for the IAEA's "essential role" in the field of nuclear security.