How long did it take to stabilize Chernobyl?

The stabilization of the Chernobyl disaster site, particularly the reactor itself, took several years. The immediate response involved the construction of the sarcophagus to contain the radioactive materials, which was completed in December 1986, roughly nine months after the accident. However, the long-term stabilization efforts, including the New Safe Confinement structure, were completed in 2016, making the overall stabilization process span over three decades. Continuous monitoring and decommissioning efforts are still ongoing.