A seven million euro contribution by the European Union (EU) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will help bolster the nuclear and radiological safety of several nations in Africa, The Press Trust of India reported. The donation is the largest ever made to the IAEA's Nuclear Security Fund, established to bolster nuclear security globally in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. "Nuclear science and technology offers great benefits but must be guarded against misuse," IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei said, thanking the EU for its contribution which "allows the agency to continue to work with its African Member States to improve nuclear security in the region and beyond". The funding will support nuclear activities in 35 countries, including 27 in Africa, helping to upgrade the physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities, secure vulnerable radioactive sources and combat illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials.
