"On this 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, our thoughts remain with the victims, from the emergency workers who gave their lives to prevent an even greater disaster, to those living in the area affected by the fallout," the statement read. "The United States marks this anniversary with a pledge of an additional $10 million dollars to help ensure the safety of future generations who live in the affected area."
"As we reflect on the tragedy of Chornobyl, so too must we recognize the progress that has been made to complete a new confinement structure for the destroyed reactor, which should soon be moved into place," the State Department said. "The structure is designed to protect the surrounding environment for the next 100 years and allow for the safe clean-up of Chornobyl."
April 26 marks the 30th anniversary of one of the worst man-made disasters in history, when one of the four nuclear reactors exploded. The incident contaminated some 50,0000 square kilometers, mainly in the three then-Soviet republics of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, by the fallout from the critical nuclear meltdown. Some 200,000 people were relocated following the accident.
