Ukraine: EU Provides Support To Habitants Living In Chornobyl Area

On July 9, Ivankiv district, located near the Chornobyl nuclear power plant exclusion zone, received representatives from the EU delegation and members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

The purpose of the visit was to present the results of a four-year EU-supported project. The project “Health and Ecological Programs was implemented between 2013 and 2017 in partnership with the State Agency of Ukraine and the local authorities of Ivankiv. The contribution amounts to €5 million from the EU. This one consisted in reducing the level of radiation and by this way improving the overall quality of life in the areas affected by the Chornobyl disaster

As an outcome, modern medical and laboratory equipment has been provided to the Ivankiv district hospital. This equipment gives the ability to measure the radioactive and chemical agents in human bodies and food. In addition, an information center opened to raise general public awareness about the ways to avoid radiological hazards and the map of radiation was updated in the area of Ivankiv.

MEP Michèle Rivasi on the visit to the area, said that “International support should not be restricted to the safety of nuclear reactors, but equally focus on people”

By Antoine Dewaest

Photo: Alexander Blecher