Throughout the state of emergency, Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM) was particularly active. The greatest direct contribution in support of combating COVID-19 pandemic was in the Directorate management’s tenacious initiative to obtain donations of full equipment packages for the national COVID-19 centres. So far, a donation worth more than 140,000 euros has been provided.

This donation is seen as a significant reinforcement of Serbian resources in containing the current pandemic, as already confirmed by a letter of gratitude sent to SRBATOM by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia.

As early as March, SRBATOM management initiated a donation of full real time RT-PCR test kits from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Once the initiative received positive reactions from the IAEA, the Directorate extended this request on 08 April to yet another kit. The first shipment, whose value exceeds 60,000 euros has already arrived in Serbia and is to be installed in the Torlak Institute of Immunology and Virology. The next shipment kit, worth around 84,000 euros is expected and intended for the Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad.

Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate (SRBATOM) initiated last month a request for a grant from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serving to equip the unit for COVID-19 RT-PCR Test. Once the proposal received positive reactions, the Directorate expanded this request on 8 April on two additional kits. We can proudly confirm the excellent news that the first shipment amounting to 70,000 EUR is en route to Serbia, and is intended to be installed in the Torlak Institute of Immunology and Virology. The additional kits are intended for laboratories that are under the order to conduct the testing of human samples on COVID-19 in the Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and Veterinary Specialist Institute Kraljevo.

Notwithstanding the current passenger travel restrictions, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ensured the continuity of inspection oversight and record-keeping of the status of nuclear material worldwide in accordance with the Agreement for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Through cooperation with the Member States, all previously arranged inspection oversight visits have been carried out so far in line with the agreed schedule. The presence of the IAEA inspectors in person by means of unconventional means of transport is also being considered.

In accordance with the state of emergency in the Republic of Serbia, the Directorate has introduced proper health protection measures and adapted its functions so as to maintain the minimum of work processes required. In addition, the Directorate will continue to conduct all the activities necessary to facilitate unhindered functioning of the services and systems that rely on the decisions and enactments brought by the Directorate.

03 – 07 February 2020 – In the framework of TAIEX – Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument of the European Commission, Serbian Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Security Directorate organized a workshop on the topic of “Setting the reference levels and dose assessment in emergency and existing exposure situation to check compliance with the prescribed levels”