On February 24 Russia attacked Ukraine and invaded the country. Due to the military operations and actual war in our neighbouring country, human lives are at risk, people lack basic supplies and have been forced to leave their homes. Internally displaced people have reached the Western part of Ukraine, called also Transcarpathia and refugees are arriving to Hungary in growing numbers. The Hungarian Reformed Church Aid (HRCA) has been providing emergency response from the first day and will keep international partners informed about its operation by publishing daily updates.
Those, who remaining on the Ukrainian side of the border also face many challenges (10:38)
Due to the increasingly scarce supply in the shops, durable food, flour, oil, sugar, dry pasta and hygiene products are also needed on the Ukrainian side; the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid was able to send more than 22 tons of these in one week - said Zsófia Dobis-Lucski, the organization's communications officer, in her interview on the Hungarian public television channel. She added, that spiritual help is also very important. HRCA also meet physical and spiritual needs of those who have already arrived in Hungary.
Another donation from the Hungarian community of Slovakia goes to Transcarpathia (11:56)
On Saturday afternoon, several tonnes of food, hygiene products and blankets will be sent from the Hungarian community in Slovakia to Transcarpathia. The fundraising campaign of the Diocese of Bratislava is helped by the opening of a third warehouse in Kispaka. From here, one van will go directly to Transcarpathia, while a large truck will arrive at the large warehouse of the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid in Ebes. From there, the organisation will transport the donations in several rounds across the border to various locations in Transcarpathia.
In the meantime, the congregations of the Bratislava diocese will continue to collect donations to help the population fleeing the war and staying behind. (Source: www.reformata.sk)
Bibles in foreign languages for refugees from Ukraine (16:43)
Bibles in English, German and, for now, Russian are being distributed by Gedeon Society staff to non-Hungarian-speaking refugees. We quote from the experience of György Nagy, pastor of the Mátészalka-Kertváros Reformed Congregation, posted on social media.
The local Gedeon Society camp was the first to speak. They are the ones who distribute thousands of little blue Bibles to hospitals, schools and hotels every year. In addition to the Hungarian, German and English New Testaments, they were able to give out 38 Russian-language Bibles, and of course two members accompanied us to the border, because it's not just like anyone can hand them out. The lady who helped as translator turned out to be a member of the Kecskemét Reformed Congregation, who knew the Bible well and became an enthusiastic helper.
The Mátészalka-Kertváros Reformed Congregation, as well as other communities in the area, are making huge efforts to help the refugees with food, transport and housing. And Hungarian reformed fleeing from Transcarpathia are helping them with interpretation.
The Károli Reformed University (KRE) will be held a charity concert at this very moment (18:15)
As we have already reported, a charity concert will organised by the Károli Reformed University in Budapest. The concert started tonight at 18:00 in the reformed church on Pozsonyi Road.
The evening's performers were cellist Dóra Kokas and her Ukrainian-born husband, violist Maxim Rysanov, Liszt Prize-winning violinist and violist Katalin Kokas, and the Children's Choir of the Hungarian Radio conducted by Soma Dinyés. Erika Miklósa, the world famous opera singer, Kossuth and Liszt Ferenc Prize-winning artist, will sing at the evening. At the end of the concert, Bishop Zoltán Balog, ministerial president of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary will give a blessing.
The event is part of a fundraising campaign launched by the University for the benefit of the community of the Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College (High School). Due to the limited number of places, pre-registration for the concert was required, but anyone can join in the financial support.
Transylvania also united as one (20:03)
Transylvania has also joint forces: the actions of small civil initiatives and aid agencies have now come together and, despite the unexpected disorganization, have been quickly complemented by transparent logistics, reports www.maszol.ro.
The site has gathered where and how people from Transylvania can help refugees from Ukraine, and we quote from them:
"Anyone can help to move people fleeing the Russian-Ukrainian war from the border. If you need a ride, you can post it on this Facebook group, or here is another Facebook group where they welcome donations, whether it's for rides or other assistance. Alternatively, selfless drivers can call 0769982067 at the border crossing in Marmaros (Vama Sighetu Marmației). And they can get a lift to Cluj-Napoca from Siret or from transit points near customs by contacting Pastor John Simon on 0745264248.
The Romanian Post is also involved in the relief effort, providing its services free of charge to people affected by the crisis in Ukraine, and helping to collect and distribute aid. It collects and delivers non-perishable food, hygiene products, clothes, footwear, pillows, tents, mattresses, heating and lighting products, first aid kits, among others, as reported on its website."
Edited and translated by Anna Derencsényi, international officer of the Diaconia of RCH