The association is a public organization that brings together individuals on a voluntary basis, including persons with disabilities who have suffered as a result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident and other nuclear-related accidents.

Objectives of the Association:

• Activities for the public good;
• Protection and representation of the social and economic rights and interests of its members in state, municipal and other institutions, political and public organizations, as well as international organizations, in accordance with generally accepted principles of international law;
• Participation in organizing timely and effective assistance for those affected by the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident, as well as others affected by radioactive accidents and nuclear tests;
• Promotion of the development of treatment and rehabilitation systems for persons with disabilities to support their integration into society.

From 1993 to 1999, the Board of the Latvian Union “Chernobyl” developed and submitted to the Government and Parliament a draft law on the social protection of participants involved in ликвидация of the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident and persons affected by it. Representatives of the association participated in discussions of the draft law in all government and parliamentary committees and organized public support activities. The law was adopted in 1999. It defines the status, healthcare, and social guarantees for participants and affected persons.

The association actively cooperates with Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital to improve the medical infrastructure. Long-term cooperation has been established with the hospital’s board and medical professionals.

Thanks to the active work of the Board, a new building was constructed at the hospital, where the Centre of Occupational and Radiation Medicine, the State Register of Chernobyl victims, and a consultative outpatient clinic are currently located, providing medical care to Chernobyl accident liquidators.

The Board participates in seminars and conferences addressing the harmful effects of radiation.

Cooperation has been established with the Japanese Chernobyl Hibakusha Fund (Fumi Yamashita), which has provided significant support to the hospital and to rehabilitation programs for liquidators, as well as to the association. The fund has supported internships for specialists in Japan for many years to improve their qualifications.

Each year, the Board visits rural regions and meets with municipal leaders to address healthcare and social care issues of local liquidators.

The Board organizes public actions to defend the social protection interests of its members and maintains long-term cooperation with the Latvian Children’s Fund within the project “Children of Chernobyl”.

The President A.Ā. Vērzemnieks and Vice President M. Šops have repeatedly participated in sessions of the Parliament’s Social and Labour Affairs Committee, addressing issues important to the association.

At the initiative of the Board, a memorial plaque for the victims of the Chernobyl tragedy has been installed at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. Every April, commemorative events are held with participation from liquidators, state institutions, Riga City Council, and embassies of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and others.

The Chairman, Vice President, and Board members carry out their work on a voluntary basis without remuneration.