International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2017 observed

26 April: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day

The International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day 2017 was observed across the world on 26 April 2017.

The Day commemorates the explosion at the Ukraine's Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 which spread a radioactive cloud over large parts of the Soviet Union, now the territories of Belarus, Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Due to the explosion, nearly 8.4 million people in the three countries were exposed to the radiation.

Background
In 1990, Soviet Government acknowledged the need for international assistance against the explosion at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant following which the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution for international cooperation to address and mitigate the consequences at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

This marked the beginning of the United Nations' involvement in the Chernobyl recovery. In 1991, UN created the Chernobyl Trust Fund as well.

Recently on 8 December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 26 April as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.