Chernobyl Children International

Chernobyl Children International
Founded 1991
Founder Adi Roche
Type Health, Humanitarian Charity
Focus Chernobyl nuclear disaster
Location
Area served
Belarus, Ukraine, European Russia
Website Chernobyl Children International
Formerly called
 Chernobyl Children's Project International

Chernobyl Children International (CCI) is a United Nations-accredited, non-profit, international development, medical, and humanitarian organisation that works with children, families and communities that continue to be affected by the economic outcome of the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The organisation's founder and chief executive is Adi Roche. Before 2010, it was known as Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI).

History

Chernobyl Children's Project International was founded in Ireland in 1991 by Adi Roche in response to an appeal from Ukrainian and Belarusian doctors for aid. Roche, previously a volunteer in a nuclear disarmament group, received a fax in 1991 which read "SOS appeal. For god's sake, please help us get the children out," which inspired her to take action. That year, Roche set up a small workspace in a spare bedroom of her home and began organising 'rest and recuperation' holidays for a few Chernobyl children. Recruiting Irish families who would welcome and care for them, CCPI began in Ireland in 1991, and expanded into the United States in 2001. It changed its name to Chernobyl Children International in 2010.

Over its lifetime, the organisation has grown in strength and numbers and is now the single largest contributor to Belarus and the fallout from Chernobyl. It works closely with the Belarusian government, the United Nations and many thousands of volunteers in Ireland, Belarus and worldwide to deliver a broad range of supports to the children and the wider community. It also acts as an advocate for the rights of those affected by the Chernobyl explosion, and engages in research and outreach activities to encourage the rest of the world to remember the victims and understand the long-term impact on their lives.

To date, Chernobyl Children's contributions exceed €91 million in direct and indirect aid, and the 'rest and recuperation program' has brought over 22,000 children to Ireland, returning an average of two years to each child's lifespan. The organisation held many large-scale events on the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster on 26 April 2011.

Programmes

Chernobyl Children International works with families and communities in Chernobyl affected regions to help them to overcome the domino effect of poverty, poor health, and social and psychosocial impact that was the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Active programmes of Chernobyl Children International include:

Volunteers

As a charitable, non-profit organisation, Chernobyl Children International relies heavily on the contribution of thousands of volunteers. CCI's volunteers are organised into three programmes:

The organisation also helps and maintains Volunteer Outreach Groups that are located throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Outreach groups organise their own awareness and fundraising events in aid of the CCI, and have helped raise millions of Euro for the victims of Chernobyl.

Board of directors

Chernobyl Children International is overseen by an eight-person board of directors. Its membership includes Roche, Ali Hewson, Noel Kelly, and Liz O'Donnell.

Hewson, the wife of U2's lead singer Bono, is one of the organisation's more visible members and patrons and has made a number of trips with the group to the Chernobyl-affected areas. All proceeds from U2's 1998 single, "Sweetest Thing," were donated to the organisation.

Recognition

In 2015, Adi Roche and Chernobyl Children International received two prestigious awards. First, Adi Roche received the Princess Grace Humanitarian Award (alongside patron Ali Hewson).[1] Next, she received the 2015 World of Children Alumni Award. Adi was first recognized by the global children's charity in 2010.[2]

Chernobyl Children's Project International was the focus of the 2003 film Chernobyl Heart, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).

The organization's volunteer activities were featured in the 26 April 2006 edition of People magazine.

The organization was awarded Special Congressional Recognition in 2006, for "outstanding humanitarian work".

Founder Adi Roche has received numerous awards in recognition of her work, including Irish Person of the Year, European Person of the Year, and the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Adi Roche and Ali Hewson receive Princess Grace Humanitarian Award". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Adi Roche". World of Children Award. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
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