In 2000 the Irish Examiner sent Kevin Barry, now longlisted for the Booker Prize for his novel Night Boat to Tangier, to Chernobyl. Here we reproduce what he reported.

RECENTLY, the Chernobyl Children’s Project sent its 21st convoy of humanitarian aid, entitled Operation Hope XXI, to the victims and survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Worth €2.9 million, it is the most valuable aid convoy ever sent there.