Head of Hungarian foundation receives Ukrainian state award

On January 9, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha presented the "Amber Heart" award to Balázs Trautmann, head of the Hungarian foundation called Transcarpathian Dragon Supply Foundation, in Kyiv, 24.hu reports. The award is presented to volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the country during the war that has been ongoing since February 2022.

The foundation, which depends solely on civilian's donations, has been supporting the Ukrainian army since the fall of 2022, delivering humanitarian aid all over the country, from Transcarpathia to the eastern front. "This award definitely belongs to the entire Dragon Supply team, that is, to the tens of thousands of people who are helping and supporting us," said Balázs Trautmann.

During its operation thus far, the foundation has raised nearly 530 million forints, (more than 1 million and 730 thousand euros) which has been used to purchase legally available and transportable equipment for civilians and soldiers on active duty based on their needs. Sometimes they delivered Erős Pista (a Hungarian seasoning paste), sometimes warm socks or batteries, and other times they took a muscle stimulator to Mykolaiv for use in treating injured children.

"At the ceremony, Andriy Sybiha said that he insisted on presenting the award in person because the Dragon Supply Foundation is supported by Hungarian people, and he wanted to personally thank Hungarian citizens for their support," Balázs Trautmann said, quoting the foreign minister. Upon receiving the award, Trautmann traveled on to eastern Ukraine to deliver the collected donations.