A Manchester-based charity have delivered aid to desperate refugees in Hungary, citing their experience as ‘worthwhile’ after seeing the grateful smiles on children’s faces.
Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA) organised a convoy of vans to deliver aid and supplies direct to the refugees fleeing Syria who are currently at Hungarian refugee camps.
The charity have admitted that a convoy of this scale would usually take six months to prepare.
But this one was organised and employed in six weeks thanks to an ‘overwhelmingly’ generous support from the public following an appeal.
Councillor Chris Webb, who took part in its organisation, was blown away by the response they received from the people of Manchester and offered his thanks to all those who donated to the cause.
He said: “Hundreds of people donated to help fill our van – I could not have asked for more.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped with aid and donations for our convoy.
“It has made such a big difference to so many people who have had to flee their home country for the sake of the lives and the safety of their love ones.”
The three-day journey saw the team deliver supplies such as clothes, medicine, tents and thermal blankets to refugee camps across Hungary.
They worked alongside local organisations along with other voluntary bodies such as Military Aid, a civil initiative which helps refugees arriving to Hungary to reach their assigned refugee camps and travel onwards.
The CWUHA project also visited the SOS Children’s Village, which cares for children from Kosovo, Syria and Afghanistan, where they delivered nappies, baby food, baby bottles and clothes.
Councillor Webb insisted the experience was made all the more humbling by the appreciative and kind nature of those receiving the donations.
Epitomised by Achmed, a Syrian refugee, and his three daughters who had fled Syria.
“Achmed and his daughters were so grateful for everything we’d brought and couldn’t stop saying thank you,” said Mr Webb.
“With everything they had been through they were still so polite and courteous – I’m not sure I would have been the same if I had experienced the horrors they had.
“Just to see the smiles on the girl’s faces made all the effort worthwhile.”