In Beregszász / Berehove in Transcarpathia on Thursday, State Minister for Social Affairs and Inclusion Károly Czibere said that Hungarians and the entire population of Transcarpathia should be aware that, despite the migration crisis, the Hungarian government has not forgotten them and will continue – and even expand – its multi-faceted support.

During his one-day visit to the town, Mr. Czibere visited social institutions and met Hungarian church and municipal officials. Together with Mayor Zoltán Babák, Mr. Czibere visited the soup kitchen operated by the local municipality and handed over 750 kilogrammes of non-perishable food provided by the Ministry of Human Capacities and transported there by Hungarian Reform Church Aid. More non-perishable food was given to Kindergarten 5 in Beregszász. Following his visit to the social centre, Mr. Czibere told Hungarian news agency MTI that this is his second visit to the town within a year, and its purpose is to let Hungarians and the entire population of Transcarpathia know that, despite the migration crisis, the Hungarian government has not forgotten them and will continue – and even expand – its multi-faceted support.

He added that the support of Transcarpathia is permanently on the government agenda, and some aspects of this support have been discussed with local church and municipality leaders. He arrived in Transcarpathia with over two tonnes of non-perishable food worth more than one million forints.

Following his meeting with Reformed Church leaders, he said that the discussion focused on the aspects of support in which the church is involved, such as healthcare, home assistance, village social services, child protection and public education. Mr. Czibere said the Hungarian government is providing five million forints towards summer camps for five thousand children organised by the Reformed Church, and a further one million forints towards kindergarten meals. It will also support the purchase of an ambulance to be operated by the Reformed Church.

He said that the discussions with the local mayor have focused on the social situation of local people, and the most effective forms of Hungarian government assistance. He also added that later in the day he would discuss these issues with other Beregszász district officials.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)