Hungarian State Secretary Tristan Azbej has embarked on a significant humanitarian mission to Nigeria, continuing the country’s seven-year commitment to supporting persecuted Christians and addressing humanitarian crises in the region. As head of the Hungary Helps Program, Azbej announced the mission on social media, highlighting both the challenges facing Nigeria and Hungary’s determination to provide meaningful assistance.
Nigeria, described by Azbej as a nation with “extremely rich human values” and a “young and dynamically growing population,” currently confronts multiple serious challenges. These include humanitarian disasters, violent conflicts, economic underdevelopment, and environmental degradation through desertification. These circumstances have created increasingly desperate conditions for many Nigerians, with migration often appearing as the only solution.
The security situation remains particularly concerning in certain regions where terrorist organizations maintain a grip of fear on local populations. Azbej specifically noted the alarming statistics regarding religious persecution, stating that “Nigeria was the country in the world where most Christians were killed because of their faith,” with nearly 5,000 Christians losing their lives to persecution in the previous year alone.
Hungary’s response has been substantial, with the government providing “significant multimillion dollar grants” to support church-operated humanitarian and social services throughout affected areas. This assistance serves a dual purpose according to Azbej: fulfilling Hungary’s commitment to Christian solidarity while also helping “people living here to build their future in their own country instead of the dangerous European migration.”
During his visit, the State Secretary plans to personally evaluate the effectiveness of previous Hungarian grants, assess the current needs of communities most affected by humanitarian crises, and establish new life-saving programs. His schedule includes meetings with church and government leaders, as well as survivors of mass shootings.
Before departing for what he characterized as their “most difficult and important humanitarian mission so far,” Azbej noted the extensive preparations undertaken, including vaccinations against multiple diseases prevalent in the region, including yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis, cholera, rabies, and polio.
The mission benefits from logistical support provided by Hungarian National Defense forces, which will enable access to humanitarian sites in areas that would otherwise be unsafe to visit.
Azbej concluded his announcement with a message of commitment to those suffering in Nigeria: “We won’t leave them alone. We can be counted on.” He described Hungary’s approach as helping “with a sensitive heart and a common mind.”
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