TDs and Senator praise the incredible work of Irish Charities in Belarus and Ukraine

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, Head of Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly & Chairperson designate of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs alongside Fine Gael Cork Senator and Seanad leader, Jerry Buttimer, Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo, Lisa Chambers and her colleague, Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Shane Cassells said the Minsk facility offers babies and young children end of life care with dignity and respect. This visit was made during the Annual Session of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk, Belarus.

Deputy Farrell said: “The No.1 Baby Home is where Chernobyl Children International pioneered the first ever Baby Hospice/Palliative Care unit in Belarus.

“It is also supported by the Belarussian Government which has now built others based upon the model utilised by Adi Roche. The facility is currently offering palliative care to 15 children.

“The quality of care these children are receiving is of the highest standard. These children are benefitting from the generosity of Irish donors who not only gave their money to this worthy project, but also their expertise.

“All of the staff in this facility displayed such remarkable compassion for every child in their care, one of hundreds of orphanages across the state of Belarus. It was evident that they are wholly committed to providing every child with the best levels of care possible. As my colleague Deputy Cassells remarked during the visits, it was both harrowing, yet inspirational.

“Ensuring every child who is ill receives the care they require, and that the necessary resources are in place to provide for the needs of each of our children, both at home and abroad, are of the utmost importance. As the Chairperson designate of the Oireachtas Children and Youth Affairs Committee, I will work with my Oireachtas colleagues to ensure we move towards making this a reality.

“The Irish Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will hold a coffee morning in aid of Chernobyl Children International and Burren Chernobyl in the autumn upon the resumption of Dáil & Seanad Éireann.”

Senator Buttimer stated: “We would like to thank the facility’s 150 staff who were very welcoming to us upon our visit. It was clear from their caring and professional manner that these children are getting the best care possible.

“Deputy Director of the Home, Dr. Dachevskaya Elkaterion and CCI Director, Tania Klindiuk facilitated our visit.

“Outside of the palliative care unit, there are 78 children being cared for in this facility.”

Deputy Chambers said: "It was an eye opening and emotional experience to visit the Chernobyl Baby Home no.1 in Minsk. The care being delivered by staff there is quite amazing. They are committed to providing the best care for the children but also to supporting the families during this heart-breaking time.

“I was struck by the level of illness and disability affecting these children which is attributed to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. What also struck me is the immensely positive impact Irish people and Irish Charities have had on this country in giving selflessly to help and care for children and families affected by the disaster.

“The appreciation and gratitude for the work of Irish people and charities was very clear and that was certainly conveyed to us by staff when we visited the home. The palliative care unit in the home was the first of its kind in Belarus and it laid the ground work for other such facilities to be established; this is something Irish people can be very proud of."

Deputy Cassells stated: “We also met Brother Liam O’Meara, a Christian Brother and former schoolteacher from Clare who gave up his profession 25 years ago to provide assistance to the Burren Chernobyl Charity.

“He remains a key figure in the care of children and adults with disabilities throughout the country.

“Burren Chernobyl provide care services for 300 children and 2,000 adults with mental and physical health difficulties.

“Burren Chernobyl also provides memorials for the children who have passed away in their care through funding headstones in their honour.”

Deputies Farrell, Chambers, and Cassells and Senator Buttimer will continue their attendance at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk this week and over the weekend.

ENDS

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