Thursday 26 April marked the 26th anniversary of the world’s biggest nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, remembered at a special commemorative ceremony in Cork.
The city’s Lord Mayor Terry Shannon was joined at the Triskel Arts Centre by Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Sergii Reva, as well as representatives of the Defence Forces and numerous school groups, to witness the symbolic release of white doves.
Following poetry readings, singing by a school choir, an ecumenical service and the laying of a wreath at the Chernobyl Birch Garden, candles were also lit as the names of some of the victims of the 1986 disaster were read out.
A minute’s silence was then observed before the playing of the ‘The Last Post’ and lowering of a flag to half-mast.
Fiona Corcoran, founder of The Greater Chernobyl Cause, commented: “This anniversary marks the starting point – not the limit – of the Chernobyl catastrophe which continues to unfold even today.
“Chernobyl is not in the past – its repercussions are still being felt by some five million people living in areas of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
“They have to cope with the ongoing political, social, environmental and health consequences of the disaster” including the land contaminated as a result of the accident.
Many are still haunted by fears over the safety of nuclear energy, she said, especially following the recent tsunami and earthquake in Japan.
Estimates of deaths directly attributable to the disaster vary from 4,000 to well over 100,000, and doctors have expressed their concern about an increase in cancers and blood diseases among a new generation of children living on the edge of the strictly imposed exclusion zones.
At the site of the disaster, work continues on decommissioning and on replacing a crumbling and leaking sarcophagus built to contain tons of radioactive dust and debris.
The Greater Chernobyl Cause’s main emphasis, says Corcoran, is on providing help and life saving medical equipment for the long term victims of the disaster and the growing number of children who are being diagnosed with cancer, leukaemia and acute respiratory infections..
The charity supports a rehabilitation centre and the Radiological Hospital in Kiev where hundreds of patients queue to be seen every day. Other projects include building care centres, renovating hospitals, and supporting clinics and the homeless.
“Our work must continue,” said Corcoran. “Without substantial outside help, what hope can there be for a generation of alienated and abandoned children? I urge anyone to please make a donation so that more young lives can be saved.”
