Starting on the very first day of the outbreak of the war, Hungarian Interchurch Aid has been helping those in need. In close cooperation with the Hungarian government, it has been involved in the delivery of aid worth HUF 576 million to and beyond Transcarpathia.
Hungary continues its quest to help every Ukrainian refugee that arrives in the country, and HIA is a partner in this endeavor, actively organizing the establishment of refugee shelters, coordinating accommodation, supporting host communities and families, providing assistance to those on the move, and running a child-friendly help point at Budapest's Liszt Ferenc Airport.
Since the war requires a reinforced presence, coordination and logistics centers have been set up in Berehove and Lviv, as well as a permanent representation in Kiev. They now operate in 10 regions, gradually extending their aid program to the eastern regions of Ukraine.
To date, HIA has delivered nearly 1,000 tons of relief supplies and is supporting reception centers in all six districts of Transcarpathia in cooperation with local authorities to assist internal refugees and those who remain in need. It is also involved in the procurement, delivery and distribution of relief goods, be it food, medicine or multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), by assisting local aid organizations.
At the global level, HIA has a leading position in the 140-member ACT Alliance as a local representative, participates in UN coordination, and works in close bilateral cooperation with several leading international aid agencies.
The organization has been active in Ukraine since 1993, and since 1998, it has also had a permanent representation in Berehove. Its pre-war priority projects included long-term assistance for nearly 600,000 people in the aftermath of the Eastern conflict beginning in 2014, and the launch of relief programs linked to the coronavirus pandemic, such as the delivery of ventilators.
HIA carries out humanitarian and development projects in more than 40 countries, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq and Ethiopia.