To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, CCOC saved another 25 children on its 93rd rescue flight.
April 26th marked the 25th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster—the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion. To commemorate this important milestone in history, today Chabad’s Children of Chernobyl (CCOC) rescued its 93rd plane load of children from the devastated region. With 25 children on board (15 girls and 10 boys), this flight is extremely meaningful and sends a powerful message to the world—to this day, a quarter of a century after the disaster occurred, there is still a need to permanently evacuate the children from the contaminated zones.
CCOC’s 93rd rescue flight took place just after Passover—the Jewish holiday celebrating the Exodus from Egypt and the Jews’ freedom from slavery. So too, these children have now made an exodus of their own and have left their polluted surroundings behind. These 25 children represent the hope for a brighter, healthier future.
In addition to the 93rd flight, CCOC organized several other commemorations including: the lighting of the Empire State Building on April 26th, participating in the ringing of the NASDAQ bell, and a “Chernobyl photography exhibit” on the CCOC Facebook Page.
CCOC remains the only organization in the world committed to permanently removing and resettling the children who remain endangered by the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. With the generosity of our supporters and friends, CCOC can continue to save the long list of children who await their rescue.
93rd Rescue Mission Reunites Families
Pavel, a 13 year old boy who at first glance looks only 9, was reunited with his uncle as a result of CCOC’s 93rd rescue mission. Pavel was saved by CCOC a year and a half ago after his father passed away and his mother became physically and mentally ill (doctors have attributed both of their conditions to Chernobyl-related diseases). Pavel himself has been diagnosed with “Chernobyl Heart” and suffers psychologically from his size and illnesses. Over the past year and a half, CCOC has provided the critical medical care and attention which Pavel needs, and the doctors have been performing as many tests as possible to avoid open heart surgery on this young boy; however they are afraid that this procedure cannot be avoided as his condition is too serious. As a result of all of this, CCOC’s team of psychologists recommended that Pavel’s uncle—his only relative able to be with him—come spend some time together. CCOC reunited the two family members by flying in Pavel’s uncle for a few weeks on the 93rd flight.
About one year ago, CCOC rescued a young boy named Danny, while the rest of his family remained in the Ukraine. After this long period of time, Danny is finally reunited with his brother Stas who was saved on CCOC’s 93rd rescue flight! The boys’ mother (who is a single mother) and brother are still in Ukraine, and CCOC’s hopes to be able to reunite the entire family very soon.
