International SOCMED program pursues implementing activities in the 3rd and 4th Chernobyl zones in Ukraine
Green Cross pursues to work actively in the regions of Ukraine, in particular in the city of Slavutych and the surrounding villages, where it helps to solve a number of social and health problems with families, who live in the 3rd and 4th Chernobyl zones. Many families are members of the "Mother and Child" club and have the opportunity to participate in the project "Social Cooperatives", as well as receive support under the Family Program within the International Program SOCMED.
Recently another family who has the status of victims of the Chernobyl accident received the long-awaited aid. Green Cross began working with the family of Alla Lutchenko in a hard time for the family, when they learned that Alla lost her job. Also, the mother was in despair after both sons found hyperplasia of the thyroid gland and gastritis. There was no time or opportunity to undergo additional medical examinations and to take measures to strengthen the health of her children. Green Cross took care of everything. Since then, the family is an active member at the meetings of the "Mother and Child" club. In 2015, the family received the opportunity to develop mini rabbit farm within the project "Social Cooperatives."
The family lives in Mnev village, which is located 5 km from Belarus, on the border between two countries. The village belongs to the 3rd zone of radioactive contamination. Father of the family died in 2007. Now the family is of three people: mother Alla, who was born in the year of the Chernobyl accident, and her two sons, Cyril and Vadim. The family could go to escape the radiation, leaving everything and try to start life anew. But they remained in the village in the belief that things will get better. Because radiation is not visible, one cannot touch it, and all is native around, beautiful nature – river and forest.
"The Chernobyl accident has brought a lot of trouble to our land," Alla said. "But here the older generations lived, who did not leave during those terrible years, and now we are living here. And it depends only on us what will come after us and how our children grow up. We believe and hope for the best. I am sincerely grateful to the Green Cross for help and support, as it is important and necessary for us. Special thanks to those people who are not indifferent to our problems."
It is difficult for the mother to raise two sons who are growing up quickly and to distract herself from daily routine. Currently Alla is unemployed, she’s actively engaged in farming, keeping the garden and breeding rabbits. Unlike many of other peers, Cyril and Vadim have a little time for fun. They are trying in many ways to help their mother: mow the grass, plant and water the garden together with their mother, help with harvest, can vegetables and fruits, because the main food for the family is brought from their garden. The information obtained from the Green Cross helps them to do everything in correct ways. At meetings of the Club Alla received the necessary knowledge on how to reduce the content of radionuclides in the food during cooking, using different sorption methods.
Green Cross also helped the family with resolving domestic matters: there was no running water in the house; the family had to carry buckets of water to wash and cook the food. The family took the initiative and tried to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Besides Alla Lutchenko dreamed of a washing machine, due to which she would be able to cope with household activity faster and spend more time raising her sons. For its part, the Green Cross was happy to help the mother to make her dreams come true. On April 12, the washing machine was officially handed over to the family. We were pleased that two Swiss journalists Beatrice Bösiger and Daniel Wechlin were present during the action. They were on working visit in Ukraine to examine the situation and the people's lives 30 years after the Chernobyl accident, as well as to get acquainted with the Green Cross activities. They had the opportunity to talk with the family of Alla Lutchenko, ask questions, and witness how the family lives. In addition, journalists met with two other families who supported by the Green Cross for many years within the International Program SOCMED. They were able to learn about the activity. They visited the office of Green Cross Ukraine, communicated with GCU partners, met with representatives of the city administration in Slavutych, interviewed the liquidators and employees of the Chernobyl NPP, and talked with residents of Slavutych. They also visited the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the city of Pripyat, checked out the operation stage and work done within the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP). Journalists from Switzerland expressed their gratitude for the coordination and organization of the trip to Maria Vitagliano and Elisabeth Müller, and also thanked the team of Green Cross Switzerland and Green Cross Ukraine for the activities and organization of all meetings and events.
For our part, we are grateful for the coordination to Green Cross Switzerland. We express our sincere appreciation for the cooperation and give thanks to all who help us in achieving our mission, goals and projects.
Dmitry Sapiga
GCU Information and Technical Support
