Ukraine: Kriszta Tatrai, on the Budapest frontline with refugees

Millions of people are leaving Ukraine because of war. Almost 7.000 of them have arrived in Hungary. Here’s the experience of Kriszta Tatrai (second from the right in the photo) a Hungarian volunteer on the frontline of Budapest for 3 weeks.

di Nazario Ricciardi
Lunedì 25 Aprile 2022
Roma - 25 apr 2022 (Prima Pagina News)

Millions of people are leaving Ukraine because of war. Almost 7.000 of them have arrived in Hungary. Here’s the experience of Kriszta Tatrai (second from the right in the photo) a Hungarian volunteer on the frontline of Budapest for 3 weeks.

- Kriszta, you’ve been assisting Ukrainian refugees in Budapest for 3 weeks. Which were your specific duties?

Me and my boyfriend worked in the frontline. We were their first point of contact when they got off from the trains in Budapest.  So, they had different needs. Some just needed instructions or food. We also helped them with finding shelter and a ride. This was our main profile.

- What are their most common needs?

Sim card, food, train ticket, shelter, and information.

- And did you receive some medical requests? How many people asked also for medical aid?

Let me tell you our story. We live in Germany and first wanted to sign up as medical help to INGOs and travel to Budapest with them. We couldn't find any. So, we decided to travel ourselves and help any way we can. My boyfriend is an internal doctor and we worked alongside. There were a few situations where medical assistance needed. There were also medical rooms in the train station and in the crisis centre, too. Fortunately, they were not extremely busy. I would also add that many people didn't need urgent assistance but do in a long run. Like finding specific medicaments they were taking at home (but don't have with them, or run out of them), or continuing a radiation therapy...

- Did you notice about disappearing people?

I have heard stories. If I am really honest, this was one of the most difficult parts to co-op while volunteering. You want the best for the refugees. You want to make sure they safe after the horrible things they're gone through. Then you hear how some abuse their fragile situation. It is shocking and infuriating.

- Did you have cases of raped girls?

I didn't, luckily. The news I’ve heard about was from abroad and now it's more and more published everywhere not to allow single man hosting woman or women. We also gave out flyers about human trafficking.

- Unhcr has staten that more than 4 million ukrainian people are refugees, and 90% are women and children. How many people have arrived in Hungary, at this date?

According to the statistics, by 3rd April approx. 7000 people applied for a refugee status in Hungary. Few ideas to read this number right: 1. Ukranian refugees have 90 days, before they must apply, so those who were fast probably did it to get apply for jobs already. 2. many people travelled to Budapest don't know what they are going to do next, so they are waiting (they are not presented in this number) 3. Many people have stayed for one or few nights, but they found a different destination (they are not represented in this number either) 4. many war refugees have Ukrainian- Hungarian double-citizenship, so they don't need to apply for a status (again, not represented in the 7000).

- Hungary is cooperating for the refugee’s relief, while Orban, who won last elections again, is a supporter of Putin and, before the war, had an anti-immigrant’s line. Doesn't it seem a contradiction, in political terms?

I would separate these two things to political and humanitarian level. These people flee from war that takes place on the other side of our border. It is geographically impossible not to take part.


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