Emergency Relief for the Crisis in Ukraine

Thanks to your generous support, we are continuing our relief efforts in Ukraine and Hungary.

Záhony city, a transit point for refugees

Thus far, we have been carrying out our activities in refugee accommodation facilities in Máriapocs village, Hungary, and throughout the Zakarpattia oblast, Ukraine. In addition to this, we began providing assistance in Záhony, Hungary in November of last year.

Záhony city has the closest Hungarian train station to the Ukrainian border. This means that all refugees entering Hungary by train from Ukraine pass through this Záhony station. Most of the refugees travel from this Záhony station to the capital Budapest or other western countries.

Záhony is also where many adult men who cannot return to Ukraine for fear of mobilization for military service are briefly reunited with family members they have left behind in Ukraine.

Research at Záhony station

When we visited in March, shortly after the war broke out, Záhony station was well served by several international aid organizations (UN, NGOs, and volunteers). However, when we visited again in November, most of the international aid groups had withdrawn. When we asked the station staff how the situation was, he connected us with the station manager and the mayor, and we were able to speak directly with the mayor.

According to the mayor, most of the aid groups withdrew in September, and we learned that the city has been the main source of support since October. He told us that the city was operating a container that it had taken over from the UN and a temporary accommodation using a closed elementary school. The container is a temporary place to wait until the train to change will arrive. Tables and chairs, transfer information, space for children, and refreshments were provided.

Overnight accommodations are places to stay if refugees are catching a train the next day or several days later. Bed, shower room, laundry area, children's playroom, and community space were built in an abandoned elementary school, and clothing and meals were provided. Both containers and accommodations are staffed by the city budget, and refugees who visit receive these services free of charge.

Shortage of Supplies Due to Declining Donations

However, due to the decrease in donations (withdrawal of aid organizations), a shortage of supplies had become an issue. There are nine trains a day from Ukraine, sometimes with approximately 300 refugees on each train, and the city's budget alone did not seem to be sufficient to provide adequate assistance to all users.

Therefore, we have decided to provide material support from November 2022. We have been delivering snacks, soups, towels, pet food, and so on around two to three times a month. We especially delivered about 200 towels this month, as we heard that the towels were about to run out. We realize that it is important to provide continuous support especially now that society's interest has waned and donations are decreasing.

Links:

• Terra Renaissance's homepage; facebook

Thanks to your generous support, we are continuing our relief efforts in Ukraine and Hungary. In two villages in Hungary, we provided assistance to people staying in refugee accommodation in time for Christmas. Christmas celebrations are valued in Ukraine, which is a predominantly Christian country. Because of the difficult and painful situation, we want to cherish the celebration of such an event.

Gifts from Santa Claus to children

In the Christian world, 6 December is St Nicholas Day (Santa Claus Day) and it is said that Santa Claus comes on the night of 5 December.

Therefore, on the 5th, we visited the refugees as a surprise and handed them gifts from Santa Claus. The gifts included a mug, chocolate and gummies. Some children were shy, but we could see their happy faces when they received their gifts.

Recreation for children

Due to economic reasons and the fact that they are staying in a small village, the refugees did not seem to be able to go out and play much, even on holidays. So we took the mothers and their children to a playroom in a large nearby town. The facility had a large playground and the children had a lot of fun running around inside the equipment.

It was a joy to see the children playing on the slides, trampolines and jungle gym and enjoying themselves so energetically. The mothers also seemed relieved.

Food for celebrations

In addition to the usual food support, we also provided food for the Christmas and New Year holidays. These included champagne, juice and sweets. We also bought candy and snacks popular in Ukraine.

It is difficult to say "Happy Christmas" and "Happy New Year" in this situation, when there are so many anxieties piling up about family members living away from home, fighting on the frontline, and what the future holds. Nevertheless, we prepared some help to celebrate, even if only a little.

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In this report, we have reported on our support for Christmas. While providing long-term food aid, operating kitchens, distributing firewood and winter clothing, we also provide temporary support such as this to ensure that we are not over- or under-supporting.

As reported, we are able to deliver stable support thanks to the help of everyone who always gives us warm support. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and continue to provide support so that Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons and the host communities that are welcoming them will be able to get through this winter.

Links:

• Terra Renaissance's homepage; facebook