The 38th anniversary of the Chernobyl NPP accident

On the occasion of the 38^th anniversary of the Chernobyl NPP accident, the Scientific and Technical Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety (CNRS) hosted an event of veterans who were engaged in overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident.

On April 26, 2024 many of those who actively participated in overcoming the consequences of the accident and revival of the affected territories throughout many years, making a significant personal contribution in this field were brought together at the meeting.

Among the participants of the event were former employees and specialists of Goskomchernobyl (Komchernobyl, Goschernobyl), systems of the Ministry for Emergency Situations, agriculture, forestry, natural resources and environmental protection, manufacturers of dosimetric and radiometric equipment as well as representative of the deputy corps – about 40 people in total.

Meeting began with welcoming words of the Head of Gosatomnadzor Ms. Olga Lugovskaya, who thanked those whose contribution to a large extent ensured successful overcoming of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident in our country, and informed about the background of Gosatomnadzor.

Presentation “Republic of Belarus - from overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl accident to the launch of the first NPP” was made by the Deputy Head of Gosatomnadzor Mr. Grigory Astashko, Head of the Division of Radioactive Waste and Nuclear Legacy Management Mr. Dmitri Pavlov, Head of the Section of Science and Information Ms. Natalia Gurnovich, Head of the Section of International Cooperation Ms. Natalia Danilenko.

Mr. Vladimir Tsalko, who worked as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the Deputy Minister for Emergency Situations and the Chairman of the Committee on the Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus, Mr. Vladimir Kamenkov, Chairman of the Committee “Chernobyl Veterans” of the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans, Mr. Gennady Antsipov, who served as the Head of the Department of Rehabilitation of the Affected Territories, recalled their memories to the audience.

Ms. Zhanna Cherniavskaya, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Ecology, Nature Management and the Chernobyl Accident, spoke on behalf of the deputy corps.

During the event the names of those who stood at the origins of the “Chernobyl” system were recalled and a minute of silence was held in memory of those who had passed away, interesting moments of the past years' activities were recalled, prospects of the further activities to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl accident as well as proposals on holding events dedicated to the 40^th anniversary of the accident were discussed.

The event followed by honoring veterans and attendees of the meeting. Veterans were awarded the Certificate of Merit of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus, the Diploma of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus, the Gratitude of the Head of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus for their long-term efforts and significant contribution to overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident and to the revival of the affected territories.

According to the proposal of the veteran organization, the participants of the elimination, who attended the meeting, were awarded with the badge “For Merits in Overcoming the Accident at the Chernobyl NPP”.

At the end of the meeting attendees were awarded memorable souvenirs and the Review of the State of Radiation Safety in the Republic of Belarus for 2023.

Gosatomnadzor wishes our veterans a solid health and many years of life!