Roche appeals for 'politicians not to neglect Chernobyl or Ukraine' as war poses threat to nuclear plant

Chernobyl Children International (CCI) has issued an urgent appeal to raise crucial funds for lifesaving heart surgeries.

The organisation stated that the invasion of Ukraine has caused a devastating surge in medical need.

The war has resulted in a 55% increase in children presenting for urgent cardiac procedures, a collapsing healthcare workforce, and hospitals being damaged or destroyed by targeted attacks.

Adi Roche, founder of Chernobyl Children International, told The Echo that the political leaders across Ireland and further afield need to be aware of the threats posed by any future attack on the Chernobyl plant.

“Our message for Christmas and coming up to the next anniversary of the war, is that we neglect Chernobyl and Ukraine at our peril,” she said.

“This is something that our politicians and those in power take cognisance of. That we need, as an urgent priority, to make sure that no way can Russia ever attack another nuclear facility.

“It is so important that we remain on the frontline of humanitarian effort in Ukraine. We are calling on our politicians not to neglect Chernobyl or Ukraine.

“The 40th anniversary of Chernobyl, in April, is a perfect opportunity for our country to stand up as a proud island nation and to reach out to the people of Chernobyl and say they are not forgotten.

“That Ireland will remain on the forefront of campaigning for their lives and campaigning for their future.”

Despite these challenges, survival rates at St Nicholas’ Hospital in Lviv have improved by 39%, thanks to CCI’s training, equipment, and on-site expertise.

To meet the rising tide of critically ill newborns, CCI is seeking public support to fund four major cardiac surgery missions to Ukraine next year.

These missions aim to directly save the lives of newborns and children with severe heart defects, train and upskill Ukrainian cardiac teams, and deliver equipment to war-damaged hospitals.