April 26 marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl NPP accident. This is the largest catastrophe in the history of nuclear energy, which entailed large-scale economic and socio-psychological consequences. Belarus suffered more than other countries. Almost a quarter of the republic's territory, where a fifth of the country's population lived, was contaminated with radionuclides. 479 settlements ceased to exist (306 in the Gomel region, 173 in the Mogilev region). According to specialists, the total damage is estimated at 32 budgets of the republic of 1985.

Today, we are summarizing the work that has been done to eliminate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.

"Belarus suffered significant damage, which affected not only the economy but also the lives of every person," emphasized the head of the district. "The state pays great attention to eliminating the consequences of the accident. Firstly, it is the restoration of lands. But the most important thing is the attention paid to people. This is social support, healthcare development, in particular, medical care, medical examinations, and the development of high-tech methods of medical care."

While the world debated who was to blame and what should be done, Belarus was eliminating the consequences of the ChNPP accident, investing colossal funds in their minimization. State policy was primarily aimed at reducing the radiation risk to people's health and ensuring the safety of their lives. For these purposes, resettlement, decontamination of territories, and disposal of radioactive waste were carried out, access to contaminated areas was restricted, a large-scale set of measures was implemented to minimize radiation doses, special measures were taken in agriculture and forestry, consumption of contaminated food products was limited, etc. Six state programs have been implemented to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP disaster and for the socio-economic development of the affected regions.

Today, the State Program "Population Safety Infrastructure" for 2026–2030 is in effect in the Republic of Belarus. This program is a logical continuation of the state policy aimed at solving the problems of the "nuclear legacy" and ensures the integration of the management of the current post-Chernobyl situation into a unified system for comprehensive nuclear and radiation safety assurance in the Republic of Belarus.

In addition, "Chernobyl" measures are integrated into the new cycle of state programs: "Society of Equal Opportunities," "Intellectual Belarus," "Nation's Health," "Future Agro-Industrial Complex," "Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency," "Housing Construction," "Comfortable Housing and a Conducive Environment" for 2026–2030.

"The Head of State delves into all issues in this area, including the creation of state programs and the targeted allocation of funds to support the population living in these regions," emphasized Galina Unukovich.

Special attention was paid to the development of nuclear energy during the event.

"The Chernobyl disaster served as a stark reminder of the need for utmost caution in the operation of nuclear power plants worldwide," said the head of the district. "It is thanks to this tragic experience that modern nuclear power plants, including the Belarusian one, are now equipped with multi-level safety systems."

The Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, which has been successfully operating for five years, generates about 40% of the country's total electricity. This has made it possible to completely abandon electricity imports and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most importantly, Belarus has secured a reliable source of clean and affordable energy for decades to come, while also making it accessible to the public.

The launch of the first Belarusian nuclear power plant marked the beginning of a new stage in the country's development. As noted by the Head of State, A.G. Lukashenko, on November 14, 2025: "The construction of the nuclear power plant has not only strengthened our energy security but also determined the future development of Belarus as a high-tech state."

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During a meeting with the residents of Bocheykovo, Galina Unukovich spoke about the development prospects of the Bocheykovo zone. As is well known, two farms are successfully operating here: "Sushchev-Agro" LLC and "Pshenichny Dvor" Farm Enterprise. Recently, a new enterprise, "Sokorovskie Doliny" LLC, was registered in the district. It plans to engage in crop production on the lands of the Bocheykovsky and Ullsky village councils and, in the future, expand its profile to include promising sheep farming, which will undoubtedly enrich the economic landscape of the district as a whole.

The existing school, which enjoys well-deserved respect among residents, is preparing for reorganization. From September 1, a kindergarten will be merged with it. This step, driven by the desire to optimize costs and enhance the comfort level for young pupils, will create a unified, modern educational cluster where every child will feel safe and cared for."Our future is in our hands, in our common aspiration to work for the benefit of our native land," summarized Galina Unukovich. "Every invested effort, every new family is a brick in the foundation of our district's prosperity." Indeed, joint efforts can achieve the most ambitious goals.

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Svetlana Roshchina, the chief physician of the Beshenkovichi Central Regional Hospital, urged those present to undergo medical examinations and take care of their health. In her speech, she emphasized that timely examination is not just a formality, but a guarantee of a long and fulfilling life.

With the help of statistics, the chief physician demonstrated how early detection of diseases, often asymptomatic, can drastically change the course of an illness, prevent complications, and restore the joy of a full life to a person. Medical examinations allow for an overall assessment of the body's condition, identification of predisposition to chronic ailments, and implementation of preventive measures.

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Evgeny Kondratenko, the head of the Department of Architecture and Construction, Housing and Communal Services of the District Executive Committee, and Olga Grigorieva, the deputy head of the Land Management Department of the District Executive Committee, urged the residents of Bochaykovo to maintain order around their homes and in the settlement. Evgeny Olegovich reminded them of the Rules of Landscaping, which regulate the maintenance of households. In particular, attention was drawn to the need for timely garbage removal and proper maintenance of building facades and fences. The issue of maintaining the territories adjacent to private houses, including the right-of-way along roads, was also discussed separately.

In turn, Olga Grigorieva emphasized the importance of rational land use, reminding that each owner is responsible for the proper use of their land in accordance with its intended purpose. The villagers were also reminded of the possibility of legalizing land plots and real estate.
Some meeting participants took the opportunity to speak with the head of the district in person.

"Zarya"