Hungarian government doubles flood aid for Szeklerland, calling disaster a national matter
The government will double donations received from the public media’s all-day fundraising for Szeklers in Transylvania, Romania, suffering from the flood catastrophe, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a video after Wednesday’s government meeting.
Botond Barna Bíró, the head of Harghita county council, took part in today’s cabinet meeting, Orbán noted. Raging floods in Szeklerland have caused widespread damage beyond the catchment area of the Praid salt mine, he said. “So we must help Háromszék as well,” he said.
The government is coordinating with the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) party on the distribution of aid, and the relevant talks will continue with the RMDSZ president on Thursday, the prime minister said.
Orbán thanked Hungary’s public media for organising the fundraiser for National Cohesion Day in cooperation with the Ecumenical Relief Organisation to help Szeklerland. The government has added a forint for every one donated, he said in the video posted to his official social media page.
Orbán: Govt doubles aid collected to help flood-hit Szeklerland
The government has doubled the money collected to help Szeklerland hit by flooding, with the relevant government resolution signed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Orbán noted that Hungarians collected 166 million forints (411,000 euros) by Wednesday to help Szeklerland, and the government has matched that amount. The money was collected in a full-day charity drive programme broadcast by Hungarian public media on Wednesday.
Orbán has talks with RMDSZ leader Kelemen
Orbán on Thursday received Hunor Kelemen, head of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), in his office, where they discussed the natural disaster at the Prajd salt mine and surrounding areas that has impacted the region’s economy and tourism, and the subsequent clean-up work.
Orbán said the disaster was not only a local matter but a national one, too, requiring joint action. The Hungarian government is therefore providing all support necessary to Szeklerland with the guidance of RMDSZ, the Prime Minister’s Communications Department said in a statement.
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