Budapest – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Municipality of Budapest have signed a cooperation agreement to provide Ukrainian citizens as well as Third Country Nationals fleeing from Ukraine to Hungary with immediate assistance, as well as medium- and long-term support.

The Municipality of Budapest is providing accommodation to crises affected population, including Third Country Nationals and these housing efforts are supported by IOM Hungary through providing Non-Food Items (NFIs). By virtue of this cooperation, IOM Hungary procures 200 washing machines and 100 fridges for the use of the beneficiaries. For the first time the Municipality of Óbuda benefitted from this partnership by receiving some of these supplies to be distributed to district kindergartens, family support center and available accommodation facilities.

In this partnership we are running an Info Point at Nyugati railway station in Budapest to provide information and immediate assistance with legal counselling, temporary protection in Hungary and accommodation to those forcibly displaced from Ukraine. IOM also offers individual counselling to the beneficiaries, including looking at medium- and long-term solutions responsive to their health, protection, shelter, water and sanitation needs. As far as Third Country Nationals (TCNs) are concerned, they are also offered individual counselling on humanitarian voluntary return and the migration pathways applicable in their case.

"This grave humanitarian crisis particularly affects the most vulnerable people, especially children, women and girls, the elderly and people with disabilities. We must prioritize vulnerable people and ensure that their health, rights and dignity are safeguarded. IOM is working closely with local stakeholders and other UN entities to coordinate responses to address their needs. " - as said Daniel Bagaméri, IOM Hungary Head of Office.

As of today, more than 5 million persons have fled from Ukraine towards neighboring countries following the broad military offensive of the Russian Federation in Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022.

The expansion of IOM’s activities in partnership with the Municipality of Budapest was made possible with financial support from Japan, Germany and Korea.