In a stark warning about escalating religious persecution worldwide, Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and head of the Hungary Helps Program, has revealed devastating statistics about the collapse of Christian communities in Syria and other conflict-affected regions.
Speaking on Hungarian morning television program Pirkadat, Azbej painted a sobering picture of religious minorities under threat across multiple continents, emphasizing that persecution affects not only Christians but also Jewish, Druze, and Alawite communities.
Syrian Christian Community Faces Demographic Catastrophe
The most striking revelation from Azbej’s interview concerns Syria’s Christian population, which has experienced what can only be described as a demographic catastrophe. According to official Hungarian government data, Syria’s Christian community has shrunk from approximately 2.3 million people fifteen years ago to fewer than 500,000 today – representing an unprecedented 80% decline.
“This 2,000-year-old Syrian Christian community has been reduced to one-fifth of its original size in just fifteen years,” Azbej explained, contextualizing the crisis within broader patterns of religious persecution and conflict-driven displacement.
The timing of this demographic collapse coincides with Syria’s prolonged civil war, which began in 2011, and the rise of extremist organizations including the Islamic State. However, Azbej emphasized that the persecution extends beyond any single conflict, representing a global trend affecting religious minorities across multiple faiths.
New Challenges Under Syria’s Transitional Government
The situation has become even more complex following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024 and the rise of Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), who now leads Syria’s transitional government. While al-Sharaa has made public gestures toward protecting religious minorities, Azbej expressed cautious concern about the long-term implications.
“We’re witnessing both hope and fear simultaneously,” Azbej noted. “While the new leadership has made promises to protect minorities, there are reports of hardline elements within the movement who oppose this moderate approach and are already criticizing the leadership for being too accommodating.”
This precarious balance has created an environment where religious minorities, including Christians, Druze, and Alawites, face uncertain futures despite official assurances of protection.
Hungary Helps Program: A Model for Sustainable Aid
The Hungary Helps Program, operating under the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represents an innovative approach to humanitarian assistance that prioritizes supporting persecuted communities in their home regions rather than facilitating mass migration to Europe.
Medical Missions Save Lives Across Africa and Middle East
One of the program’s most successful initiatives involves deploying Hungarian medical professionals to crisis zones. In Chad, Hungarian doctors have achieved remarkable results, including performing the country’s first-ever pacemaker implantation surgery. These medical missions address critical healthcare gaps in regions where up to 25% of the population requires humanitarian assistance.
Dr. Réka Fodor, known professionally as “Africa Réka,” has led more than a dozen medical missions to Nigeria, while the program collaborates with Szent Ferenc Hospital to provide ongoing medical training and support in the Sahel region.
“During one mission, I observed a Hungarian doctor diagnose more than ten acute malaria cases in a single hour,” Azbej recounted. “These interventions literally save lives while also providing Hungarian medical professionals with valuable experience treating conditions rarely encountered in Europe.”
Training Local Healthcare Professionals
The program’s sustainability focus emphasizes “training the trainers” – an approach that builds local capacity rather than creating dependency on foreign aid. This methodology ensures that Hungarian expertise continues benefiting communities long after international volunteers return home.
Geopolitical Challenges Within European Union
Azbej revealed significant tensions within European Union humanitarian policy discussions, describing a concerning incident during a recent Brussels meeting where one northern European member state proposed restricting aid to African countries based on their political positions regarding Ukraine.
“This proposal fundamentally contradicts the principles of impartial humanitarian assistance,” Azbej stated. “It demonstrates how geopolitical considerations are increasingly overriding basic humanitarian solidarity, which threatens the effectiveness of aid programs and the stability of regions that directly impact Europe’s future.”
However, the program has found success in bilateral cooperation with like-minded nations. Italy and Cyprus have emerged as key partners, with Cyprus recently establishing its own government unit dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
Security Challenges in Chad and the Sahel Region
The Hungary Helps Program operates in some of the world’s most dangerous regions, including areas of Chad threatened by Boko Haram and other extremist organizations. The Lake Chad basin serves as a primary operational area for Islamist terrorist groups, creating complex security challenges for humanitarian operations.
Despite these risks, the program continues its work because Chad represents “the last stable bastion in the Sahel region,” according to Azbej. The country hosts more than two million refugees from neighboring Sudan while maintaining a delicate balance between Muslim and Christian communities.
Call for International Support and Solidarity
Azbej concluded his interview with an appeal for increased international support, emphasizing that religious persecution represents a global challenge requiring coordinated response from the international community.
“This is not a competition between different forms of persecution,” he stressed. “Religious intolerance and violence are increasing worldwide, affecting multiple faiths and communities. Our response must be comprehensive and principled, prioritizing human dignity over political considerations.”
The Hungary Helps Program accepts donations through bank transfers and works with various Hungarian charitable organizations to maximize the impact of humanitarian assistance in affected regions.
Looking Forward: Sustainable Solutions for Persecuted Communities
As religious persecution continues escalating globally, programs like Hungary Helps offer important models for sustainable humanitarian intervention. By focusing on local capacity building, medical training, and community-based support systems, these initiatives provide alternatives to mass migration while addressing root causes of instability in conflict-affected regions.
The program’s success in establishing partnerships across religious and cultural lines demonstrates that effective humanitarian work requires understanding local contexts, building trust with community leaders, and maintaining long-term commitments to vulnerable populations.
For those interested in supporting these humanitarian efforts, Azbej encourages individuals to consider contributing to organizations working to preserve religious diversity and protect persecuted communities in their homelands.
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