May 25, 2005
Chernobyl Children's Project International
is first USA organization to sign
Chernobyl rehabilition principles
Chernobyl Children's Project International signed the CORE Declaration of Principles at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Washington DC on May 25.
CORE is the “Cooperation for the rehabilitation of living conditions in the Chernobyl-affected regions of Belarus.” The program – a framework for helping regions affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 – has been adopted by a number of countries internationally, including the United Kingdom, France, the European Union, Germany, Poland, and Belarus, as well as the United Nations.
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, located on the border of Ukraine and Belarus, exploded almost 20 years ago, sending 190 tons of toxic materials into the atmosphere. The wind blew 70 percent of the radiation into Belarus. Twenty years later the people of Belarus continue to suffer social, medical, economic and environmental consequences. The CORE Program approach – based on recommendations from the United Nations, UNICEF, and the World Bank – is to take a sustainable, community based, development oriented approach to dealing with the ongoing consequences of the disaster. The program links international groups with local Belarusian citizen groups and NGOs that are seeking to find their own solutions to local problems associated with the disaster.
“After-effects of the Chernobyl accident continue to affect lives of almost every Belarusian – and will for many generations to come”, said Mikhail Khvostov, Ambassador of Belarus to the USA. “The international community has already done a great deal to help Belarus, but it is crucial that support should continue. CORE program is a unique instrument to enhance this support".
“The social and medical consequences of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, while no less critical, are evolving with time”, according to Kathy Ryan, USA Executive Director of Chernobyl Children's Project International. “CORE program participation encourages us to work side by side with affected communities in Belarus to help them find long term solutions to their problems – we become ‘partners' rather than ‘donors and recipients'".
FOR INFORMATION
Pavel Shidlovsky, (202) 986-6335 or shidlovsky@belarusembassy.org or
Kathy Ryan, (202) 342-7667 or KathyR@aol.com
April 6, 2005
25th Chernobyl Children's Project International Convoy
Set to Deliver Aid to Belarus:
Convoy Will Carry $3.2 Million in Aid
On April 10th, a overland convoy of trucks and ambulances will leave Ireland to deliver humanitarian aid to orphanages, hospitals and homes throughout Belarus.
The convoy, carrying $3.2 million dollars worth of humanitarian aid and 60 volunteer humanitarian workers, will leave Ireland and pass through ten European countries before arriving in Belarus on April 16th. The convoy arrives days before the 19th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster which took place on April 26th, 1986. The convoy will
be Chernobyl Children's Project International's 25th.
The convoy -- 15 semi trucks and 13 ambulances in length -- will carry a playground to be built at the Vesnova orphanage that was seen in the film "Chernobyl Heart." Chernobyl Children's Project International volunteers will build the playground while in Belarus. The convoy will also include a $100,000 medicinal tablet-making machine
donated by Pfizer Europe. The machine will produce pectin-based tablets which, when taken daily, have been found to help reduce radiation levels in the body.
The 13 ambulances included in the convoy will be delivered to hospitals, health clinics and orphanages throughout the Chernobyl zone. The ambulances are an important part of CCPI's transportation and infrastructure in Belarus, and where purchased though local fundraising efforts in Ireland.
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December 21, 2004
President Welcomes Chernobyl Children
President Mary McAleese today opened the doors of her official residence to dozens of Chernobyl children escaping the effects of nuclear fallout.
However, doubts lingered over the Christmas celebration as the recuperation trips could be coming to an end.
President Alexander Lukashenko has moved to restrict children leaving Belarus for the holidays, which add years on to their lives. He claimed they were returning with "consumerist" values.
Around 42 children from the rest and recuperation programme joined 19 adopted children from Belarus for a festive treat at Áras an Uachtarain.
The children landed safely at Shannon Airport yesterday for their Christmas break thanks to the generosity of the Cork-based Chernobyl Children's Project. Director Adi Roche has branded it a "Christmas miracle".
Mrs McAleese today met the Belarussian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Alyaksei Mazhukhou, at the children's reception. However, a spokeswoman said the President was not making any representations over the proposals ˆ it was simply an opportunity to greet him.
Ms Roche was hopeful it would send a subtle message to the Belarus authorities. The fundraiser is quietly confident a compromise can be reached on the issue.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern has already asked other EU foreign ministers to intervene with Belarus authorities to help prevent the ban on children travelling to Europe for recuperation.
Mr Ahern said the proposals should be reconsidered on humanitarian grounds as it would further isolate Belarus.
The country is still suffering the effects of radioactive fallout from the explosion on April 26, 1986.
It was estimated that 70% of the radiation landed on Belarus ˆ incidences of thyroid and breast cancer and leukaemia are two to three times higher than in other regions.
The CCP manages to fundraise to give hundreds of children a getaway break in Ireland each year. The voluntary organisation said that for each month a child spends in Ireland an estimated two years is added to their life.
September 4, 2004
CCPI Directors Invited to United Nations
to Address Development Goals Set by World Leaders
CCPI Directors Adi Roche, Sherrie Douglas and Kathy Ryan were selected to participate in the 57th Annual United Nations Conference in New York City, 8 to 10 September 2004. The conference will focus on the role of civil society and governments in the implementation of the eight millennium development goals that were set by the 189 UN Member States in 2000. The goals are designed to give people worldwide the tools to care for themselves in healthy, sustainable environments. CCPI is honored and excited to be a part of the United Nations, and we encourage all of you to check out the UN Millennium Development Goals yourself at www.un.org/millenniumgoals.
News Alert: April 13, 2004: CCPI Marks 18th Anniversary of Chernobyl with Life-Saving Medical Missions: Cardiac Surgery and Operation Smile
Chernobyl Children's Project International will mark this month's 18th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster with two major medical missions to Belarus.
CCPI will bring Operation Smile to Belarus during the first week in May, in the first mission of a 5-year partnership. Operation Smile is the recognized world leader in providing pediatric facial reconstruction and cleft-lip/cleft palate surgeries. Belarus, the country that received 70% of the impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, has an incidence of cleft lip/cleft palate disorders that is 5 times that seen in other countries in which Operation Smile works. During this inaugural CCPI-Operation Smile mission in May, Operation Smile will evaluate 200 children with this life-threatening disorder, and perform life-changing operations to allow these children to lead normal and healthy lives.
Also in May, CCPI will bring a surgical team from the International Children's Heart Foundation to Belarus to provide life saving cardiac surgery to 25 children. Over 700 children are on a waiting list in Belarus for cardiac surgery -- most will die within 5 years without surgery. In addition to surgeries, CCPI's cardiac surgery program provides training for Belarussian surgeons and medical professionals. This training -- an important part of CCPI's mission to effect permanent, sustainable self-sufficiency in Belarus -- allows Belarussian medical professionals to save lives year-round.
CCPI's facial reconstruction and pediatric cardiac surgery programs are funded by individual contributions. You can help save lives by making a secure online donation through "Network for Good" using the Donate Now button to the left of your computer screen.
News Alert: February 29, 2004: "Chernobyl Heart" Film Wins Oscar
Film Highlights the Work of Chernobyl Children's Project
Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI) was delighted when "Chernobyl Heart", the film based on the work of Chernobyl Children's Project, our Irish partners, won the Academy Award in the "Best Documentary Short Subject" category. The film, produced and directed by Maryann DeLeo, focuses on the continuing effects of radiation on the children of Belarus, the country most effected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. The film prominently features Adi Roche, our International Executive Director.
The film follows an October 2002 delegation of CCPI and CCP/Ireland representatives into the "exclusion zone," to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and follows the invisible trail of radiation to the country's hospitals, cancer centers, orphanages, and mental asylums.
The film prominently features the children of the Vesnova mental asylum, who are featured in the "Images" section of this web site. CCPI, with our sister organization CCP/Ireland, provides humanitarian aid to these children through a comprehensive program of renovations and nursing staff support. While we believe that no child should live in an institution of any kind, we were compelled to alleviate the deperately bleak living standards of these children. Also featured in the film is the work of noted cardiac surgeon Dr. William Novik, whose work in Belarus is funded by Chernobyl Children's Project International. Along with Dr. Novick's life-saving surgeries, our cardiac training program offers long-term hope to children suffering from "Chernobyl Heart."
