The President’s Office, the Government and Parliament commemorated the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. The leaders of the three institutions expressed gratitude to the Moldovans who participated in the alleviation of the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 38 years ago, IPN reports.

President Maia Sandu expressed gratitude to the Moldovans who participated in Chernobyl cleanup. Over 3,500 Moldovans put their health and lives at risk to stop the spread of radiation and half of them are no longer alive.

“We have a duty to honor the sacrifice and memory of the heroes and to offer support to their families. Over the past three years, the Government has increased allocations for participants in alleviating the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and indexed the annual financial aid provided to them. By the end of this year, 80 families of participants will receive apartments from the state free. This is how we deliver on our commitment to build a society where people live in safety and wellbeing,” said President Sandu.

The head of state also noted that the consequences of explosions and radiation leaks at Chernobyl serve as an example of nuclear dangers and underline again the importance of international cooperation for the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technologies. The war in Ukraine has brought back the risk of a nuclear accident in the region.

According to Prime Minister Dorin Recean, the Chernobyl catastrophe was the worst nuclear disaster in history, which severely affected Moldova as well. He noted that the exposure to radiation of the Moldovans who participated in the Chernobyl cleanup irreparably affected their health, and 38 years after the incident, 1,733 of them are still alive, of whom 1,604 have varying degrees of disability.

Due to the contamination following the accident, thousands of other people were affected in the Republic of Moldova, the total number being difficult to estimate. The government supports the victims of this catastrophe. Over the past year, the monthly state allowance was increased and free housing was provided. The tragedy that took place 38 years ago gives us valuable lessons about nuclear safety, efficient crisis management and the need for international cooperation in the face of such disasters. Humanity must unite to prevent and properly manage all the nuclear installations so that such accidents never occur, said the official.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu also expressed gratitude to over 3,000 Moldovans who participated in liquidating the radioactive danger. “Many of them developed various disabilities or died much earlier. We must do everything possible to ensure that such events never happen again. The people should live in peace and safety,” Igor Grosu stated at the beginning of the Parliament’s sitting on Friday.

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, after reactor No. 4 of the nuclear power plant exploded due to human error.