A humanitarian disaster has been successfully prevented in the last few days by virtue of the coordinated efforts made by the Hungarian authorities and aid organisations in the vicinity of the Serbian-Hungarian border, the Minister of Human Resources stated at a press conference concerning illegal migration held on Wednesday in Szeged.

Zoltán Balog told the press that, in addition to the protection of the border, it is further the duty of the law enforcement agencies to protect and provide care for those who seek asylum in cooperation with the aid organisations, child protection agencies and health care institutions.

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The Government decided to provide aid worth HUF 200 million for the three humanitarian organisations – the Hungarian Red Cross, the Hungarian Interchurch Aid and the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta – which assist with providing care for migrants in Hungary and, in cooperation with their sister organisations, on the Serbian side, the Minister said.

Mr Balog thanked the police for the exacting service they provide, which also involves a great deal of psychological endurance.

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The Minister informed the press that migrants who register as asylum-seekers are entitled to free health care for a year, which imposes a formidable task on the ambulance services, and in particular, on the clinic in Szeged.

The Minister added: the children of families submitting asylum applications are entitled to care and services which Hungarian minors are eligible for.

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The politician stressed that the placement of unaccompanied minors represents a special task. This year some 8,600 – almost all of them boys – have arrived in Hungary, most of them from Afghanistan, including 3,800 children. At present, there are forty minors at two reception centres – in Fód and in Hódmezővásárhely – who arrived without adult family members.

Last year from among unaccompanied minors, 51 children found foster parents, the Minister informed the press.

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Miklós Soltész, State Secretary for Church, Ethnic and Civil Society Relations told the press that as of the first of July, in addition to the three organisations which have now been awarded aid, another three members of the Charitable Council – Caritas Hungary, the Hungarian Reformed Church Aid and the Hungarian Baptist Aid – also take part in the effort to assist migrants. These organisations provide help not only at the border and at railway stations, but also in child protection institutions on an ongoing basis.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)