Working trip to Mozyr District, Gomel Oblast

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko inspected progress to eliminate the aftermath of the devastating storm that hit Mozyr District, Gomel Oblast, and a number of other regions in July.

The head of state was briefed on the state of disaster response and relief efforts in Gomel Oblast, including restoration of electricity supply in the affected communities, and the work of forestry enterprises to deal with the aftermath of the storm in forested areas.

One of the main issues on the agenda was processing of damaged and fallen trees, which should be followed by reforestation. Individuals, labor collectives, and students should also be involved in this effort. “We should complete reforestation operations next year. We should make plans and schedules during the winter. [Vice Premier Yuri] Shuleiko reported to me yesterday that we have enough seedlings. We need to put things to rights. This is the only way we can salvage these empty patches,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president demanded the same approach to restoring order in agriculture. In particular, he pointed out to serious problems with plowing the fields in the region, which was clearly visible from the helicopter.

The president familiarized himself with the work to clear wind-fallen trees. The site that he visited used to be a mature forest up to 100 years old. “This forest should have been cleared a long time ago. This is commercial timber. 80-100 years old. You didn't harvest it. Well, God helped you - he felled everything. Now we should remove it as fast as we can,” the Belarusian leader noted.

The head of state remarked that the demand for timber has recovered on the world market, and domestic products will be in demand. Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to come up with an optimal solution how to use additional workforce and equipment. Harvesters should not stay idle in some places, while they are badly needed in other places that were affected by the disaster.