Hungary Evicts Hundreds of Ukrainian Refugees, Leaving Thousands Homeless

Hungary has evicted hundreds of Ukrainian refugees from shelters after the government decided to cease funding their accommodation if they arrived from regions it does not consider war-affected. This recent law change could leave thousands more homeless. Hundreds of women, mostly Roma, with children and belongings found themselves on the streets after being informed by landlords that the government would no longer cover their housing costs. These refugees, many of whom are from the southwestern region of Transcarpathia, feel betrayed, having felt safe in Hungary until the government revised its refugee policy this summer. The government now only compensates housing costs for Ukrainians who have arrived from areas it designates as unsafe, which currently excludes Transcarpathia. While they claim to be from a region affected by the war, with men being drafted and uncertainty looming, the government maintains that only those from actively war-torn areas deserve state support. This situation has sparked outrage, with NGOs and aid organizations labeling it a new low in Hungary’s immigration policies, particularly as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has consistently criticized Kyiv and pressured it over the rights of Hungarian-speaking minorities in Ukraine.