“Faces of Chernobyl” photo exhibition

IPE note: To visit Original Post, click here. Also, visit the site to view a photo essay featuring work from children affected by Chernobyl.

The legacy of the Chernobyl power plant disaster still affects the health, social, emotional and economic lives of more than 3.5 million people, 1 million of whom are children. Many of the children today suffer from iodine deficiency, which causes goitre and learning difficulties. There has also been a reported increase in leukaemia rates and thyroid cancer among children, as well as learning and emotional difficulties.

The first UNICEF-supported project that Ewan and Charley visited was in Kiev, Ukraine, set up to help children who have been physically and emotionally affected by the disaster in Chernobyl in 1996.
A special centre for affected children

Over 200 children attend the Assistance to children affected by Chernobyl Centre every day after school. The centre offers a range of educational, social and emotional support through activities such as film-making, sports, counselling and physiotherapy. As part of the project, children are also encouraged to become “volunteers”, visiting disabled children in the community who are unable to come to the project, and helping to build friendships and confidence.

The problem of iodine deficiency has led to significant public health and social problems in the Ukraine. It has also been found that thyroid cancer, whilst associated with radiation, is exacerbated by low iodine intake. Funds from the Long Way Round have been supporting a UNICEF campaign to increase the use of iodised salt within the Ukraine. Increased use of iodised salt will have a positive impact on the health of the country’s population and also on the economy.
Life through their eyes

Funds have also supported a “Faces of Chernobyl” photo exhibition which featured images taken by children, focusing on their daily lives. This helped to attract public interest and commitment to address the problems of children affected by Chernobyl and put a real face to the Chernobyl disaster.