More than 4,000 who took part in the hasty and poorly organized Soviet cleanup effort have died, the government says, and more than 70,000 Ukrainians were disabled by the disaster. About 3.4 million of Ukraine's 50 million people, including about 1.26 million children, are considered affected by Chernobyl. About 5,000 Chernobyl victims demonstrated in Kiev over the weekend, saying many entitled to state aid were not receiving benefits and compensation for living on contaminated land. But the health of those affected has deteriorated steadily. A dramatic surge in thyroid cancer among Ukrainian children was reported last year, along with a high number of other diseases among affected children.
Work goes on to stabilize the sarcophagus, believed to contain tons of radioactive waste.
Officials dismiss suggestions that the shelter was threatening collapse, but admit its condition is cause for concern.