Belarussians arrive

A VERY special group of 30 children from Belarus have arrived in Ireland to spend time with local families.

It is part of an urgent mercy mission by Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International (CCI) to airlift children out of the region and away from lethal forest fires for respite care in Ireland this summer.

The summer Rest and Recuperation Programme gives the children, who come from impoverished backgrounds and state-run institutions, a health-boosting reprieve from the toxic environment and high levels of radiation to which they are exposed.

It is made worse by raging forest fires which are at their peak at this time of year.

Voluntary chief executive of Chernobyl Children International, Adi Roche, said:

“It is wonderful to see the excitement on the children’s faces as they arrive safe and happy into Dublin.

“Radiation knows no boundaries but we feel privileged to be able to give these children some relief, love and

‘breathing space’ at this time of year.

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An Irish volunteer medical team also landed with the children having spent the last number of weeks in Belarus preparing them for the trip.