Anti-migrant Village in Hungary Opens Its Doors to Refugees as Russia Continues Its Attack on Ukraine

A town in Hungary has become a refuge for thousands of people escaping the ongoing gunfires and explosions brought by Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Hundreds of people escaping the ongoing war continue to arrive in Beregsurany, a rural Hungarian town near the Ukrainian border. Volunteers welcome each batch of refugees arriving at the town hall, offering them hot tea, sandwiches, and medical services.

According to an Al Jazeera report, the Hungarian government passed a law in July 2016 that made pushbacks legal - the practice of sending back asylum applicants beyond borders without due process. The European Court of Justice ruled that the action was illegal under EU law. Residents of Beregsurany supported the law. But this time, things are different.

Beregsurany is a small town with a population of around 600 people, the majority of the residents are elderly. When Russian President Vladimir Putin had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, residents anticipated the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, so they gathered in the town center to prepare.

Millions Leaving Ukraine

Around 140,000 people from Ukraine moved to Hungary since the war started on February 24. Volunteers from throughout the country have traveled to the border region to assist with the massive humanitarian endeavor taking place along the 135-kilometer (84-mile) border.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 1.2 million have fled Ukraine 10 days into Russia's military attacks. The number is expected to surge to 4 million. UNHCR workers have already come to Europe and are ramping up protection and assistance programs for the individuals affected by the conflict in support of host governments.

Most have arrived in Poland and other neighboring European countries like Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Italy.

As per the report by ABC News, around 10,000 refugees have arrived in Italy, 40% of them are children. The country's education ministry is signaling plans to place them in classrooms to allow them to integrate into society.

Blinken Visits Poland

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau met with Ukrainian refugees at the Korczowa Refugee Reception Center in Poland as per CNN.

While Blinken was at the site, waves of Ukrainian refugees walked across the border into Poland. Each of them carries one or two bags, with small children, newborns, and even pets. Military personnel assisted the elderly and exhausted individuals in carrying their stuff. After a stop in Brussels, Blinken traveled to Poland, expressing support to the NATO member nation in its vital role in addressing the crisis. In his visit, the US official said that welcoming the refugees is an "incredibly powerful reflection of Poland's values" of letting the "vulnerable people" know that they will find refuge in the country.

The US Secretary of State also discussed with members of Ukrainian civil society in Poland. He thanked them and appreciated their humanitarian endeavors despite Vladimir Putin's attempts to "tear apart the brave work" they are doing.

He also called Ukraine a "successful, strong, democracy, with a strong civil society at its core."