Since February 24 close to 90,000 refugees fleeing from war have arrived in Hungary from Ukraine, government spokeswoman Alexandra Szentkirályi said on Monday. Meanwhile, the first huge refugee group arrived to Budapest.
Hungary continues to receive them “with open arms”, she told MTI by phone. The Hungarian government is providing refugees all possible assistance and support, Szentkirályi said. By late afternoon altogether 89,651 arrives had been registered, the spokeswoman said.
Photo: MTI/Zoltán Balogh
All Hungarian-Ukrainian border-crossing points are open round the clock, she said, adding that the national disaster management centre OKF is coordinating the accommodation of refugees and helping them in several other ways too.
Photo: MTI/Zoltán Balogh
The government has set up a National Humanitarian Coordination Council to collect donations, deliver them to those in need and help charities involved in humanitarian aid,
she said. Szentkirályi said that on Monday the government opened six aid centres in five towns and villages, namely Beregsurány, Tiszabecs, Záhony, Barabás and Lónya near the Ukrainian border.
Photo: MTI/Zoltán Balogh
Refugees are continually arriving at Budapest’s Nyugati railway station, where they are being greeted by charity volunteers donating food, drink and guidance, a public media correspondent reported from the scene. Red Cross and Reformed Charity staff are greeting the refugees with hot tea, soft drinks, mineral water, pastries and toiletries.
Photo: MTI/Zoltán Balogh
Large numbers of police are also at the station coordinating the refugees.
Refugees who do not have a place to stay are being taken by bus to reception centres, the M1 public television correspondent reported.
Source: MTI