Chernobyl disaster is still part of reality, not history

The Irish charity which has delivered almost €100m in humanitarian aid to Chernobyl-affected regions has announced ambitious plans to expand its health-care programmes this year — the 30th anniversary of the disaster.

Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International (CCI), confirmed the move as she accompanied the Lord Mayor of Cork, Chris O’Leary, on a historic visit to the world’s most radioactive site.

Standing in the shadow of Chernobyl nuclear power plant’s devastated reactor number four in northern Ukraine, Mr O’Leary paid tribute to Irish volunteers and families who have helped Chernobyl victims since the nuclear accident in 1986.