Commemorating the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster
On April 26, the world commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the Chornobyl Nuclear Disaster in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) asks all Canadians to pause today in remembrance of the thousands of victims of this terrible tragedy.
On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant near Prypiat, Ukraine, exploded and melted down. The disaster affected the lives of thousands of people, with the effect still being felt today in Ukraine and Belarus. The effects of the disaster were made far worse by the Soviet Communist regime’s obfuscations and attempts to cover up the scale of the tragedy from the world.
Estimates on the number of indirect deaths resulting from the Chornobyl disaster range from the thousands to the tens of thousands. Ukraine and Belarus continue to cope with long-term health, environmental and economic consequences resulting from this disaster.
For more information on humanitarian projects of the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, please see HERE
In November 2016, the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement (NSC), the largest moveable land-based structure ever built, was moved into place over the reactor. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2018.
For a timelapse video of the NSC moving into place please see HERE
The NSC, a feat of modern engineering, will safeguard the reactor building and tons of nuclear fuel still inside for at least 100 years. The project is managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), through the Chornobyl Shelter Fund (CSF). Canada is one of the member countries of the CSF.
