Human Consequences of Chernobyl

It was way-overhyped, according to this report from the London Observer , citing a UN/UNICEF study.

I searched for the actual report on the webites of the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, and UNICEF, but couldn't find it. If true, it is shockingly contrary to everything else those organizations have said over the last 15 years. Has anyone heard more details?

Peace.

 

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A day in the life of flamethrower in Kiev

Morning began with the customary flicking of the cockroaches from the top of the kitchen table. Breakfast was little more than kielbasa, stale bread and moldy cheese. Fruits and veggies had now completely disappeared from the local markets.
The fire trucks sirens had been going all night as they continued their assault of spraying down rooftops, walls and streets, in an attempt to wash away the fallout.


The local radio stations kept broadcasting do-it-yourself tips in avoiding further exposure, like some morbid weather report. The "always keep that umbrella open when your outside" propaganda was my favorite.
To venture out was on a "must need" basis, with strict adherence from the guards in front of our building. Fortunately, being a foreigner allowed me the privilege to go.


As I left the building, I had to change from my "inside" attire to that of my permanently exiled "outside" set of clothes. Nothing that was exposed to the open outside was allowed in the buildings.
Each venue that I was accustomed to call had the same routine, papers please, clothes off, inspect goods, allow entry, new clothes on.


Fortunately my work kept me busy well into the night and I had little preoccupation with the chaos outside. I suspected my time here was now limited and I was forced to move quickly. I soon realized I would not finish my tenure.
After arriving back home, a shower was prescribed prior to entering my apartment. The adorable Ukrainian women living down the hall always had an open invitation to dinner. Food was increasingly hard to come by.
Program "Vreminya" (Time), the state news broadcast from Moscow, continued to vehemently deny there was a "situation in the Ukraine". All was well, they said. No cause for alarm. No need to panic.


As I drank my last shot of Stolichnaya and rolled my eyes shut, visions of home danced through my head. Oh, how I wished I was there.

 

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