Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Hungary has provided a total of 106 billion forints (270 million euros) in humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict on both sides of the border, emphasized Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, at a press conference held on Tuesday, at the Taras Shevchenko Bilingual Ukrainian Nationality School in Budapest.
The State Secretary stated that Hungary has carried out the largest humanitarian aid operation in its history over the past two and a half years, as the state has helped nearly 1.5 million people who fled to Hungary from the war, issuing more than 250,000 temporary residence permits. Around 675,000 people have received help at aid points, and charitable organizations assisting Ukrainians both inside and outside the border have received 4.5 billion forints in support.
In addition, the Hungarian State has provided free travel opportunities for refugees that have been used over one million times. Ukrainian refugees have also had access to healthcare, and in the education system, around 5,500 Ukrainian children are studying in 1,630 schools nationwide.
During school breaks, children have been able to attend state-funded Elizabeth Camps or camps organized by the Rákóczi Association, and in higher education, 1,000 Ukrainian students are receiving scholarship support.
He emphasized: “Hungary has made every effort to provide humanitarian aid, and even beyond its capacity. What we had a human obligation to do, we have done over the past years and will continue to do as long as needed. That is why it is painful for us, and we feel it is unfair when Ukrainian political leaders attack Hungary,” he stated.
He added that Hungary does not send weapons, does not contribute financially to the war, and will not do so in the future. “This is our firm conviction, and we will stand by it. We want the war to end as soon as possible, and all of Hungary’s international decisions point in this direction and aim to facilitate the quick end of the war,” he stressed.
Liliána Grexa, the parliamentary spokesperson for the Ukrainian nationality, spoke about the school where the press conference was held, noting that the institution was named after Taras Shevchenko, one of the most renowned Ukrainian poets, because they hope the school will become a cornerstone for the development of the Ukrainian community in Hungary.
She added that the Ukrainian community had long awaited an elementary educational institution that could eventually become a high school. In the institution, half of the subjects are taught in Hungarian and the other half in Ukrainian. In addition to the school located in Budapest’s 6th District, other Ukrainian-Hungarian nationality schools operate in several places across Budapest as well as in Nyíregyháza and Miskolc.
Both the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian minority living in Hungary desire a just and lasting peace for our Ukraine,” she emphasized, and thanked Hungary for its support in accepting Ukrainian refugees and continuously supporting the Ukrainian community living in the country.
Andriana Szarvas, Deputy Chair of the National Ukrainian Self-Government, also joined in the expression of gratitude. Anna Szanyi, deputy director of the school, expressed thanks on behalf of the parents of the students, saying that the Hungarian State has made it possible for their children to study in safety, in both Ukrainian and Hungarian, without forgetting their homeland.
Via MTI, Featured image: Facebook/Tarasz Sevcsenko Ukrán Kéttanítási nyelvű Nemzetiségi Iskola
The post Record-Level Aid Provided to Ukrainian Refugees since War’s Outbreak appeared first on Hungary Today.
