Due to the war in Ukraine, human lives are at risk, people lack basic supplies and have been forced to leave their homes. IDPs have reached the Western part of Ukraine and refugees are arriving to Hungary in growing numbers. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid has been providing emergency response from the first day. Daily update.
Historical churches in Transylvania unite for those suffering because of the war (07:33)
Hungarians in Transylvania, Romania, are helping refugees as one people. Béla Kató, Bishop of the Transylvanian Reformed Church District, spoke about this at a joint press conference with the other Transylvanian churches. The church leaders agreed to coordinate aid efforts, and the bishops will be in daily contact with relief organisations in Transylvania and Transcarpathia (Ukraine) to keep them informed of the latest developments.
"We were mainly trying to raise funds, as it is easiest to transfer them, and we want to buy food as close to the border as possible. We have also made a list of our shelters so that in case this crisis deepens, can be offered to refugees," added Béla Kató. In the Transylvanian Reformed Church District, half a thousand congregations have so far indicated that they will take in people on move.
Bishop István Csűry of the Reformed Church District of Királyhágómellék confirmed that the refugees will be welcomed from the very first moment. The youth house in Nagytarma has been converted into a shelter, while in the counties of Maramures and Satu Mare and the Presbyteries are in contact with those on the other side of the border. (source: www.reformatus.ro)
Refugees from all over Ukraine arrive in Berehovo (08:23)
While at first the vast majority of refugees were just passing through Transcarpathia and leaving Ukraine, those who are now arriving are forced to stay. This is what Ferenc Taraczközi, a reformed pastor from Beregszász/Berehove, told www.parokia.hu. In his experience, a lot of people decide to stay in Transcarpathia, the Western region of Ukraine, close to the Hungarian border, because men cannot leave the country and families do not want to separate. The town of 18,000 inhabitants just a few weeks ago now has 28,000.
Local organisations, foundations and churches are trying to take care of the refugees, but both food and fuel are running out. Donations are being used to buy medicines for the sick, and the food supplies coming into Transcarpathia are a huge help in feeding them. But they don't keep everything for themselves: the congregation in Beregszász also contributes to food shipments to Kiev, and one of their pastors went to Kiev with a van full of non-perishable food. They plan to send more and more parcels as long as they can still reach the Ukrainian capital. (source: www.parokia.hu)
The need for basic food is growing (09:14)
Basic food such as flour and sugar are definitely needed in the interior of Ukraine - György Nagy, pastor of the Reformed congregation of Mátészalka-Kertváros, who recently welcomed family members of missionaries from Kiev in the parish and provided them with temporary accommodation, told www.reformatus.hu.
György Nagy pointed out that humanitarian aid reaches Transcarpathia more easily for a few days now, as food shortages are becoming more and more noticeable there. In the interior of the country, according to refugees, there is no bread in the shops and almost nothing to buy. Everyone is fleeing as fast as they can.
National and foreign aid agencies are also trying to get their relief supplies there.
Donation from Tübingen (10:51)
The donation of the Diakonisches Werk Tübingen (Diakonisches Werk Tübingen is an institution of the Lutheran Church District of Tübingen and a member of Diakonisches Werk Württemberg ) arrived this morning from Germany to the logistics centre of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid in Ebes.
The shipment of several tons (12 tonnes) includes food, hygiene products and blankets. The whole city joined the Diakonisches Werk's appeal. In response to the donation needs expressed by the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, they are helping those affected by the Ukrainian-Russian armed conflict through the charity.
The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid now distributes an average of 15 tonnes of donations a day (12:17)
By Tuesday morning, the amount of donations distributed by the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid exceeded 130 tons, of which 44 tons were distributed among people living in Transcarpathia or seeking shelter there.
How much is my donation worth? (14:23)
The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid is also looking for donations to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. But what is a donation enough for?
By dialling the 1358 donation line, you can support the work of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid with 500 HUF. With just one call, we can enable a refugee to receive a basic food package, including half a litre of water, a two-ounce juice box, a pastry and a banana, when crossing the border, arriving at Western railway station of Budapest or later at one of our shelters. This alone can be a great help for someone who has been travelling for days and is coming from food insecure Ukraine.
You can also donate a larger amount via the online platform. If you donate 1,000 HUF, we have already added two nutritious sandwiches to the package. And if you donate 5,000, our donation will enable you to give a refugee a package containing two tins of hot food, sweets, hand sanitiser and a mask, in addition to the items listed above. And a donation of 10,000 forints will also buy shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, instant soups and other food, as well as other durable foodstuffs to meet the basic needs of a person in need in the longer term.
In addition to the already mentioned donation line (1358 - every call and SMS means a donation of 500 HUF) and the online platform, you can also send your financial contribution to the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid by bank transfer to the following bank accounts:
Beneficiary_ Magyar Református Szeretetszolgálat Közhasznú Alapítvány (Hungarian Reformed Church Aid Public Foundation)
IBAN: HU67 1070 2019 8500 8898 5110 0005
SWIFT: CIBHHUHBXXX
Name of the Bank: CIB Bank Ltd.
Adress of the Bank: Medve utca 4-14., 1027 Budapest, Hungary
Payment Remark: Ukraine
Donations of material goods are also welcome at the Western railway station of Budapest and the Záhony railway station. Please bring a half litre of mineral water, a sandwich, straw juice, shampoo and shower gel to these two locations. The organization's warehouses (Budapest, Debrecen-Ebes, Gelénes) will accept donations every day between 8 am and 8 pm, but please send an email to karpataljaert@jobbadni.hu, to let them know in advance if you are bringing a donation. Durable food, clothing and other donations are also accepted in the warehouses.
Edited and translated by Anna Derencsényi, international officer of the Diaconia of RCH