Address by the head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan Irek Kadamov on the Day of Participants in the Elimination of the Consequences of Radiation Accidents and Disasters and in Memory of the Victims of These Accidents and Disasters

      April 26, 1986, is a date that forever changed the history of nuclear energy. 40 years ago, a disaster occurred that became a severe test for the entire country. The accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is a lesson that showed the price of human error and selflessness. Today, four decades later, we clearly understand: the main outcome of those events is the unparalleled courage of the people who stood in the way of an invisible threat. Firefighters, military personnel, engineers, doctors — all those who took the brunt of the atomic force, risking their lives. Many of them were our fellow countrymen. 3,907 residents of Tatarstan answered the call of duty and heart to save the world from radioactive contamination and, at the cost of their health, protected millions of people. Over the past 40 years, we have learned the main lesson of Chernobyl: in matters of radiation and technosphere safety, there can be no trifles. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan, in cooperation with other agencies, is doing everything possible to prevent a recurrence. We are improving the monitoring system and training specialists to act in any conditions. One of the key institutions dealing with the rehabilitation of radiation victims is the Republican Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Tatarstan named after Sh.S. Karatay. During its operation, thousands of Chernobyl victims have undergone a course of quality medical and psychological rehabilitation. The memory of Chernobyl is also our duty to future generations. We must pass on the truth about those events to the youth. Not as a terrifying story, but as a tale of true bravery and as a reminder of the fragility of the world we live in. Eternal memory to those who did not live to see this date! Strong health and longevity to all who went through the crucible of Chernobyl. With deep respect, Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan I.I. Kadamov