‘Our comrades in Belarus are very scared’ says Longford Friend of Children from Chernobyl

Friends of Children from Chernobyl has set up a large number of collection points across Ireland in an effort to send humanitarian aid to Belarus, where tensions are increasing as Putin’s war on Ukraine continues.

Local lady, Joan McLoughlin has been involved with the group for more than 20 years, bringing children to Ireland from Belarus.

“There is a Ukrainian connection,” Joan told the Longford Leader.

“Where we deal with is close enough to the border. One of our schools out there would be quite close to the border.”

Understandably, there is a great deal of concern among those who care for the children and bring them to Ireland each summer.

Between 14 and 18 children travel from Belarus to Longford annually, though due to Covid-19, this has not happened over the last two summers and will potentially be problematic should the country be caught up in the war.

“Our comrades in Belarus are very scared,” said a concerned Joan.

“Many are from Ukraine. Some would go over the border to work there.

“At the moment we are trying to coordinate some humanitarian aid to send out - good condition clothes, non-perishable foods. We’re going to try and get some of these items out to them.

“We got some aid out there in September and we know they use the clothing all the time, so they have something to fall back on.”

Now, for the Ukrainians in the area and for the refugees, Joan and others in the organisation are looking for clothes, warm blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene items, baby items and medical equipment to send out.

There are mounting concerns that Belarus may send its troops into Ukraine to aid Russia.

“My contact in Thurles speaks with the interpreter in Belarus regularly. When she last spoke with him, she could hear planes going constantly,” said Joan.

“There are often planes overhead but she could clearly hear them, so there was obvious air activity. But he (Putin) has troops in Belarus and he is a dictator so it is concerning.”

Joan has listed her address as a collection point for local donations. Items can be dropped off at 25 Ardnacassa, Dublin Road, Longford, N39A3E5.