This is how Hungary helps Ukrainian refugees

The Ukrainian war that began this week, in addition to the fact that everyone is upset by the images, is also causing humanitarian problems. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and flee to neighbouring countries, like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Hungary via the shared border section of about 135 kilometres, and more than 100,000 have already arrived in Poland in just the last 3 days. Let’s take a look at how Hungary is helping and how readers can help, too.

NGOs

Migration Aid is looking for volunteers who can travel to the area for several days and are also looking for buses with a driver who can help with transportation from the border to the local train station or to Budapest. In addition, rechargeable fuel cards are collected so that they can help with the expenses of transport assistants. They are also looking for accommodation near the border to accommodate volunteers as well as to accommodate Ukrainian refugees, anywhere in the country. This can be indicated by e-mail with the subject “offer of accommodation”, indicating the location & the time and duration of the possible stay. Those who speak Russian and Ukrainian are wanted for translation jobs, as well as volunteers for online organisational and administrative work. They can be reached at info@migrationaid.org, and their Facebook page can be found here.

The Budapest Bike Mafia organises collections in Budapest; you can find out about the current locations and dates on their Facebook page. They primarily want material donations to be delivered to the venue: packaged, ready-made sandwiches, canned hot food, juices, insulating foils, blankets, sleeping bags, thermoses, baby care items, wet wipes, toiletries, camp beds. Facebook page here.

Szállás.hu, the largest local accommodation site, would connect those fleeing from Ukraine who need accommodation and owners of accommodation who are willing to receive people for free or at a discount. Szállás.hu contacted all its domestic partners and asked them in a letter to join their campaign. The accommodation agent will grant a commission exemption to the joining partners, and a list of the places offered will be created soon. They are also looking forward to volunteer translators to help with the connection. The organisation can also be contacted by phone (+36 30 344 2000) and e-mail (szallas@szallas.hu) for those looking for accommodation and those providing accommodation, writes portfolio.hu

The “Workforce” Employment and Recruitment Company would help refugees to settle on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border: on the one hand, they will provide them with accommodation in their workers’ accommodation, and on the other hand, they will help them to find a job that matches their qualifications. Their own employees with Ukrainian citizenship also help their direct relatives with accommodation and personalised support in Hungary if they are forced to flee.

The Maltese Charity Service is asking for monetary donations, which began on Friday, to receive refugees from the Ukrainian crisis and place them in rural institutions, writes hvg.hu. Their institution in Beregszász (Beregszász is a culturally Hungarian city in Ukraine) is also open to those seeking help.

Donations can also be made through the following organisations: Hungarian Red Cross (Magyar Vöröskereszt), Protective Charity Association (Oltalom Karitatív Egyesület), Ecumenical Relief Organisation (Ökomenikus Segélyszervezet), Hungarian Reformed Charity Service (Magyar Református Szeretetszolgálat), UNICEF, UN Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine, Catholic Caritas (Katolikus Karitász), Krishna Believers.

The Transcarpathians can be helped on the Hungarian telephone number 1357 through the National Humanitarian Coordination Council. One call is 500 forints (EUR 1.37).

In addition, a number of Facebook groups have been set up for the offerings: Segítségnyújtás (Ukrajna, Kárpátalja) is, for example, a group with 56 thousand members.

A completely English-language group can be found here.

The local government of Budapest is also helping to provide accommodation and meals for nearly two thousand fleeing people almost immediately. At the Budapest railway stations, several people have already asked for help, and they are being accommodated and cared for.

Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) offers 200 places to accommodate and care for refugees from Ukraine – read the university’s statement. The academic management of Eötvös Loránd University, in cooperation with the Student Government, is also compiling a package to support cross-border humanitarian activities, as well as its own students of Hungarian and other nationalities with Ukrainian citizenship across the border, writes 24.hu

All persons arriving from Ukraine can travel officially free of charge to any destination in Hungary on the railway lines of the Hungarian Railway Company (MÁV).

• Read also: Foreign Minister: Hungary provides humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees

The whole country moves

The Greek Catholics are launching a fundraiser, asking for food and other necessities. Physical donations are welcome in their parishes, but money can also be transferred to their account. Donation information can be found here. The Diocese of Nyíregyháza of the Greek Catholic Church collects material donations, and those who wish to help can find information on this page, says infostart.hu.