28 April 2026, 22:55

Social support is key: How Gomel Oblast helps residents under Chernobyl program

An archive photo

MINSK, 28 April (BelTA) – Dmitry Rutkovsky, Head of the Directorate for Eliminating the Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Disaster of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee, told BelTA’s project The Nation Speaks how Gomel Oblast supports its population under the Chernobyl program.

Dmitry Rutkovsky noted that the social block is a cornerstone of the Chernobyl program, making up roughly half of its budget. “Support starts with the youngest. Children get free nutritious meals, free recuperation, and state‑paid travel to and from sanatoriums. In addition, there are pension benefits for those disabled by Chernobyl and liquidators, along with regular cash payments,” he said.

Special attention is paid to supporting young specialists. “The program contains measures to attract and retain specialists, ranging from help with housing construction to financial incentives. For example, a young specialist coming to work in Khoiniki or Bragin receives a bonus for working in contaminated areas. When signing the first five‑year contract, they receive a one‑time payment of 200 base amounts, and upon renewing the contract, another 300,” the head of the directorate explained.

At the same time, significant investments are being directed toward social infrastructure. “We are renovating schools and kindergartens, equipping medical facilities, and purchasing school buses. All of this creates comfortable working and living conditions. We see the result: specialists are not just coming, they are staying and starting families. In the districts, we are actively building community centers, music schools, and sports schools,” Dmitry Rutkovsky noted. “Our task is to provide everything necessary so that people, including newcomers, can live with comfort, raise children, and build their futures in Khoiniki, Narovlya, and Bragin.”