Hungarian troops continuously arriving in East Hungary

Armored vehicles on the streets of a Hungarian street. Photo: FB

Units of the Hungarian Armed Forces are continuously arriving in the eastern part of the country, the army’s chief said in Hajdúhadház, in eastern Hungary, on Thursday. Inspecting units at the local military base, Lieutenant-General Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi told reporters that the troops are being regrouped for two reasons.

First, they will assist police forces in managing a possible wave of migrants and providing humanitarian assistance, he said. Second, in the case of the worst-case scenario of armed groups drifting to Hungary, they will guarantee of the security of Hungarians, he added.

Meanwhile, Hungarian churches started to send food and collect donations.

Hungary’s Reformed Church sent 800kg of food to Ukraine early on Thursday and launched a donation campaign to help residents affected by the war, the church said in a statement. Bishops Zoltán Balog and Károly Fekete have assured the Reformed Church of Transcarpathia of their readiness to help, adding that they would “pray for all people suffering from armed conflicts”. Donors are welcome to call 1358 and contribute 500 forints per call, send money to bank account CIB 10702019-85008898-51100005 or visit https://adomany.jobbadni.hu/kampanyok/38 to make a donation.

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The Baptist Charity said it was similarly ready to send aid and make preparations to help refugees arriving in western Ukraine. The charity said they had surveyed schools and social institutions in the region that could accommodate refugees, while a medical team was also put on alert. The charity said it had sent 3.5 million forints in fast aid to its counterparts in Ukraine and launched a donation campaign. To make donations, people can call 1355, or use UniCredit Bank account 10918001-55555555-55555555.

The Ecumenical Charity pledged to reinforce its centre in Berehove (Beregszász) and set up further coordination facilities in Ukraine. Communications director Kristóf Gáncs said his organisation was prepared to supply food and medicines, and help families with special needs. The charity could also contribute to efforts aimed at accommodating refugees, he added.

The Ecumenical Charity welcomes donations via the 1353 phone line or at www.segelyszervezet.hu. The United Hungarian Jewish Community (EMIH) assured Ukraine’s Jews of its support as Chief Rabbi Slomó Köves called Jewish leaders in Ukraine.

Köves has offered accommodation to the Jewish community of Transcarpathia in Hungary “for the long run, if necessary”, and pledged financial support to Anatevka, a settlement built in 2015 for Jewish refugees from eastern Ukraine. EMIH welcomes donations at https://charidy.com/Kyiv/73207.