About Us

Chernobyl Children International (CCI) was established by Adi Roche in 1991 to give support and hope to children living in the aftermath of the Chernobyl meltdown.

Over the past 21 years, the charity has evolved to address the long-term medical and economic effects of this unprecedented nuclear catastrophe. As a direct result of the charity’s intervention, the lives of tens of thousands of children have been saved, prolonged or improved.

Read message from founder Adi Roche

The contributions of generous donors, fundraisers and committed volunteers have enabled CCI to undertake a broad range of charitable activities.

With the help of eight full-time staff members, more than 40 professional, administrative and medical staff in Belarus, and thousands of volunteers in Ireland and worldwide, we have delivered over €91 million worth of aid to date. We have also brought more than 22,000 children into Ireland on life-enhancing holidays that give their bodies and spirits a chance to recuperate. CCI also supports medical and humanitarian programmes that facilitate long-term, sustainable, community-based solutions, building up local capacity and directly benefiting local communities.

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In addition, we undertake awareness-building activities, such as making presentations, filming documentaries and educating children in Ireland and around the world about the impact of the Chernobyl disaster. Visit our Projects section to learn more about our many support and outreach progreammes.

CCI works in partnership with the Belarusian Government, and has fostered strong relationships with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. We also work with the United Nations on a wide range of initiatives.

CCI is a registered charity in Ireland, the UK, Belarus and the USA, and is recognised internationally as the largest global contributor to Belarus.