Twenty years have passed since the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Its 20th anniversary is commemorated on April 26, 2006. Many people still suffer its aftermath in Chernobyl-hit regions of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Several generations experienced the whole impact of the disaster, as well as frustration resulted from the socio-political consequences that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union. 

Three affected regions of the new states, former Soviet republics, are seeking development in there own way. Thus different regional and national approaches to the Chernobyl accident are observed. 

How do regional differences affect the apprehension of the Chernobyl disaster?

Dr. Hans-Peter Meyer Dallach and the WORLD-DRIVES association - Netzwerk Osteuropa addressed the problem in the research “Chernobyl between generations and regions” (Culture prospectiv, Zurich, Switzerland). Below are the research findings in brief terms.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) was one of the organizations, which provided financing of the research dated to the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.  

The research contains key-note messages to the international community. It reveals the implications of the technogenic accident for affected people, who find themselves in different situations depending on the geographical location, and the way they comprehend the accident.

Spot check: oral survey among 1620 people of 35-37 years of age, being residents of the contaminated districts of Bryansk, Chernigiv and Gomel regions, together with 600 written answers of teenagers. Additional data was gained through discussions in 2 focus groups in a small town of Gomel region, including the representatives of the middle and younger generations, as well as from 51 essays on future plans and problems of teenagers in Belarus.

Executive Summary
The research “Chernobyl between generations and regions”. Basic information in 7 paragraphs. WORLD-DRIVES association - Netzwerk Osteuropa. Head: Dr. Hans-Peter Meyer Dallach (Culture prospectiv, Zurich, Switzerland)
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Locality and native land
What is the meaning of a locality and native land after the disaster?
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Future
What different generations look forward to in future?
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Fear
Which fears remain?
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Health
How has the apprehension of health changed after the accident?
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Consequences and their surmounting
How did the accident affect the everyday life from the viewpoint of the youth?
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Health / material standing
What is the connection between health and material standing?
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Hope for aid
Aid from what organizations is expected?
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Trust in the system
What political and public organizations are most trusted?
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Concequences
What consequences of the Chernobyl disaster have been most disturbing so far?
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