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Hungary has so far helped almost 4,900 citizens of nine countries return home with 28 relief flights, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook on Saturday.
“Two years ago, in the largest Hungarian repatriation operation of all time, we brought 11,000 Hungarians home from all over the world,” Szijjártó said. “Time was short, and the goal was clear: bring all Hungarians home before the countries of the world close their borders.”
Hungary is now using the knowledge and experience gained at that time to help other nations. Since the outbreak of the war, a total of 140,000 refugees have arrived in Hungary from Ukraine; Hungarians, Ukrainians and citizens of third countries “who now need our help to return to their families”, the minister said.
Most of the flights were launched by India, where 3,548 people, mainly university students, have returned via Hungary. In addition, other countries are also launching flights to Budapest, carrying 614 Moroccan, 177 Kuwaiti, 174 Nigerian, 98 Polish, 97 Ecuadorian, 24 Israeli and 12 Italian citizens home with Hungarian assistance, he added.
Szijjártó said “the work is far from over, because if the fighting intensifies, many people will certainly seek security with us, and we will help them all get home safely”.
featured image illustration via Zoltán Balogh/MTI