Mr Michael Kitt TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development, has announced funding of €600,000 for Chernobyl Children's Project International to support the development of Day Care Centres which will provide essential medical and social services for rural populations in Belarus. Making the announcement, Minister Kitt said: 'I am very pleased to work in partnership with Adi Roche and Chernobyl Children's Project International to address the needs of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in Belarus. The Belarusian population has suffered disproportionately from the economic and social consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster which has served to increase the vulnerablility of the poorest'.

The overall grant to Chernobyl Children's Project International is part of an allocation of €1.75 million, over three years, for projects and programmes in the Balkans and Commonwealth of Independent States. This funding will be directed towards addressing the needs of vulnerable groups and contributing to stability and democractic transition in the region.