Civilians and the war in Ukraine: under all circumstances
The outbreak of war in Ukraine has shocked us all. We stand in solidarity with Ukraine and with all the people who have been dragged into war against their will. When the fighting started, our member organisations - along with many others - began to provide immediate assistance, and as the first refugees arrived, CSOs, informal aid groups and enthusiastic volunteers were already lining up to organise humanitarian work.
Since then, our member organisations have continued to provide accommodation and meals, administrative assistance, interpretation, counselling, pastoral care and much more, collect donations, provide updates to those who need help, monitor war crimes, and assess the political, economic and social consequences of the crisis.
In the following article, we have collected these activities in the hope that they will serve as a resource for our readers - both those who would like to donate or get involved in relief work themselves, and those who want to better understand the situation and its implications.
Information and links from our member organisations
How can you help?
Useful links for helpers/donors from all over the country: here you can find the Foundation for Democratic Youth’s and here the NIOK’s list.
If you want to help in or around Pécs, the With the Power of Humanity will help you find your way around.
In and around Debrecen, the Association of Alternative Communities is waiting for helpers/donors.
Offering accommodation in and around Budapest with the help of From Streets to Homes Association.
Help for everyday life: filtering fake news, keeping the mental health, how to talk to children about war - a collection from the Foundation for Democratic Youth.
Legal information for refugees in 4 languages in the Hungarian Helsinki Committee's constantly updated materials.
Telephone and email support for refugees, organised by the Menedék - Hungarian Association for Migrants.
Telephone helpline with LGBTQI assistance at the Háttér Society, they also help anyone who contacts them to find their way.
Activities of our member organisations in relation to the war and refugee crisis
Housing and care of refugees
Several of our members are directly involved in the housing and care of refugees, including the Association of Alternative Communities in Debrecen, the Civil College Foundation and the From Streets to Homes Association. The With the Power of Humanity Association in Pécs organises childcare, recreational and art therapy sessions with the help of local civilians and volunteers. They all welcome volunteers, helpers and donors!
Amnesty International Hungary monitors war crimes.
Helping aid workers
Mental health support for volunteers and professionals assisting Ukrainian refugees is organised by the Artemisszió Foundation.
The NIOK Foundation supports fundraising for CSOs helping in the war in Ukraine with discounted campaign launch opportunities.
PILnet provides pro bono legal assistance to refugee support organisations, whether they need operational or legal capacity building.
The Ökotárs Foundation provides targeted support to its partners in Eastern Hungary who are working to alleviate the refugee crisis in the border region.
Greenpeace Hungary organized a peace demonstration, together with the civilians, volunteers and demonstrators they formed a peace sign of torches in Heroes' Square.
ARC and Nyomtassteis has announced an art contest.
Analysis from our member organisations
Energy supply
The problem of Russian gas imports and possible responses from Clean Air Action Group.
The security risks of nuclear power and the benefits of a decentralised energy system in a war - a quick analysis by the Energiaklub.
Political analyses
Hungary's political manoeuvres between East and West - László Majtényi, Eötvös Károly Institute.
A wide range of reports and rapid analyses from Political Capital on the Ukrainian crisis: disinformation war, V4 cooperation during the conflict, security risks of Russian investments in Hungary.
Rapid analyses on the domestic political-economic consequences of the war in Ukraine from Transparency International: Paks 2, Sberbank and the Russian spy bank.
