The purpose of the aid is to help local communities in need to remain in their native land, thereby reducing migration to Europe. As part of the Hungary Helps Programme, the government has decided on providing further assistance.

Thanks to the Hungary Helps Programme, since 2017 some 35,000 people have been able to return to their homes in countries in the Middle East devastated by the Islamic State.

It will provide aid worth HUF 162 million, (USD 560 000) for the Syrian Orthodox Church and HUF 145,180,038  (around half a million dollars) for supporting the humanitarian activities of Trappist-Cistercian nuns in Syria still inflicted by bloody conflicts.

There are many monks and nuns alike who still have to carry on with their work without sufficient support. For example, the mostly Italian group of Trappistine nuns forming a monastic colony in Syria, who are not moving, even in the face of violence. (picture above) Since 2005, Mother Marta Luisa Fagnani and the other nuns have committed themselves to prayer and work in a country in crisis.

However, ‘Hungary Helps’ at least contributing to creating the conditions that are necessary for ordinary people to stay in their native land, some real support has been offered.

Due to this latest aid offered by Hungary, new residential buildings could be built in the city of Homs mostly destroyed in fierce armed clashes, and a new communal space could be created in Latakia,

Strengthening the internal cohesion of communities is crucial from the respect of the fight against migration as in the absence of such retaining factors, far more people would start heading for Europe. This is one of the reasons why Hungary supports the initiatives of Christian churches in Syria aimed at social cooperation.

Source:  kormany.hu ,  communio.stblogs.org