Budapest – Joint statement on support provided by the Government of Japan to IOM Hungary in order to scale up its efforts in support to the government and crisis-affected persons arriving in Hungary

The Government of Japan expressed its ever-growing support to the assistance of people affected by the implications of the war in Ukraine. In order to support the neighbouring countries around Ukraine in their ongoing emergency operations, the Government of Japan has committed to provide IOM Hungary with a grant of USD 926,583. Through this contribution, IOM Hungary will be able to step up its ongoing operations.

The contribution of the Government of Japan will enable IOM Hungary to strengthen the humanitarian response to crisis-affected populations in Hungary. The overall objective of the project is to provide humanitarian assistance, including shelter and basic needs, to the most vulnerable refugees who have fled to Hungary as a result of the war in Ukraine, while contributing to a conducive environment for self-sufficiency. The project activities will focus on providing shelter, distributing food and hygiene items, establishing food banks, and providing child protection through the development of childcare facilities.

“I am very pleased that the Japanese Government has continued to work closely with IOM by providing, this time, financial support for IOM’s meaningful humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.” – said H.E. Mr. Masato Otaka, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary. “One year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the importance of providing assistance to Ukrainians in the context of long-term displacement has been increasing.”

 “The war in Ukraine led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences and has become one of the fastest-growing and largest human mobility crises that Europe has experienced since World War II” – said Mr. Daniel Bagameri, Head of IOM Country Office in Hungary. “The crisis particularly affects the most vulnerable people, especially children, women and girls, the elderly and people with disabilities. I want to express my appreciation for the generous support from the Government of Japan that enabled IOM in Hungary to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance.”

On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a broad military invasion in Ukraine, which contributed to significant internal displacement and cross-border movements. To date, more than 2.3 million Ukrainian and Third Country Nationals have arrived in Hungary across the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, while 34,248 persons have applied for temporary protection status in Hungary. In partnership with governmental, non-governmental and international organizations and as part of the UNCHR-coordinated refugee response, IOM in Hungary continues to respond to the immediate needs of refugees arriving in Hungary by providing essential humanitarian assistance, shelter, core relief items, case management and protection services such as mental health and psychosocial support and information provision.

Since the onset of the war, IOM Hungary has scaled up immensely to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs. To highlight a few key achievements, IOM Hungary in partnership with Hungarian municipalities has provided 88,466 safe nights to people in need and assisted 21,891 people with information provision. By virtue of the invaluable support of its donors, IOM Hungary provided 66,663 meals in designated community centres, and distributed 13,354 food vouchers across its beneficiaries.

IOM Hungary greatly appreciates the generous contribution of the Government of Japan. The funding allocation will enable – inter alia – the scaling-up of the ongoing humanitarian assistance provided within Hungary. IOM Hungary therefore seeks to enhance its fruitful partnership with the Government of Japan in order to further expand its programmes, with the aim of reaching the highest number of people possible, who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Hungary.

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For more information please contact: smhunmedia@iom.int