UNICEF supports Záhony’s most vulnerable through cash assistance
In the town of Zahony, north-east Hungary, situated on the border with Ukraine, UNICEF’s humanitarian cash assistance programme is helping refugee children and vulnerable local families access schooling, shelter and social services.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Municipality of Záhony, north-eastern Hungary, has expanded its humanitarian cash assistance programme to the most vulnerable refugees and local families. With an initial budget of HUF 48 million (EUR 125,000), the programme has reached 54 Ukrainian refugee children and 320 host community children.
“I have five siblings, I miss them terribly, but my mom is so happy that I am safe and studying here in Hungary,”
says 17 year old Krisztina, one of 20 Ukrainian teenagers now enrolled at Záhony High School.
The cash scheme prioritizes families from Ukraine, children with special needs, single parent families, people with disabilities and pregnant mothers, among others.
Studying, reconnecting, and planning for the future
Eight Ukrainian young mothers and their children are among the beneficiaries of the cash assistance programme. They arrived in the neighbouring town of Tuzsér right after the war escalated in February 2022. They used the cash they received to buy groceries, infant hygiene products, school materials, a cell phone to access online educational classes, while also trying to save for an uncertain future.
According to Miklós Lesku, head of the Záhony dormitory that houses Ukrainian students, some refugee children would not be able to continue their studies nor afford school meals without the cash support. Some students used the money to visit home over the holiday season to reconnect with their families, a rare occasion, as travelling to Ukraine has been hampered by damaged infrastructure and rail networks.
Alina, says, “I have two children, a 13 month old baby girl, Diana, and a 6 year old. Thanks to the cash I was able to catch a train just before Christmas and crossed to Ukraine. It took me a whole day to reach my city and see my husband and my father.”
Alina was able to bring her mother to Hungary with her.
“She is with me now. We are safe here; there is heating” she said.
Flexible, timely and essential aid
Although Záhony is hosting refugees coming from Ukraine, the municipality is facing its own socio-economic challenges.
“The Municipality has been very active in looking for social protection mechanisms for its citizens. Záhony is a community that exudes solidarity, but it is also a community that has struggled for decades. UNICEF extended the cash sceme to reach the most voulnerable population of the host community.
This way humanitarian cash assistance is reinvested in the local economy, bringing needed resources, addressing underlying poverty.” Sandra Romero Ruiz, Social Policy Specialist with UNICEF Refugee Response Office in Hungary, said.
“Cash assistance to the refugees brings choices, flexibility, adaptability and timely support to satisfy the needs of households under a lot of stress, caused by the war and by the separation of their families,” Ruiz, added.
The cash transfers are helping 17-year-old Ukrainian student Sandra to achieve her goals despite the difficult personal circumstances.
“When my mom learned of the cash assistance, it was a huge relief for us. I am an only child. I am a good student. I have very good grades. I don’t want to go back to war-torn Ukraine. There is no heating, there is no electricity, and the school is not running every day. I enjoy being here, it is a unique opportunity for me. I want to study, and, in the future, to work. I want this war to finish too.”
