Hungary has a duty to help its Christian brothers who suffer because of persecution, according to the country's former ambassador to Italy who currently heads a new department that helps persecuted believers.

(REUTERS / Marko Djurica) A migrant drinks water as several hundred refugees and migrants rest at the side of a highway while heading in the direction of the Hungarian border, in Belgrade, Serbia. October 5, 2016.

In an exclusive interview with National Catholic Register, Tamás Török explained what pushed Hungary to take concrete action to help Christians who fled persecution from their home countries despite other nations' reluctance to do so. In October last year, they established the Deputy State Secretariat for the Aid of Persecuted Christians to raise awareness over the issue and find ways to help those afflicted by this problem.

In addition, Török said it was important to preserve Christianity in its cradle and to prevent the believers from moving to the West. Aside from visiting places where persecution is rampant, the department also donated 1 billion Hungarian forint ($3.9 million) to Catholic and Orthodox charities.

"As a result of the visits and discussions, the Hungarian government approved a 1 million-euro pledge to each of these two Churches to support their humanitarian activities at home and in Lebanon. Furthermore, Hungary will contribute to the rebuilding of the city of Telsqof in northern Iraq," Török told NCR.

"As far as your question on why it all is important for Hungary, the answer is simple: It is a duty for us to help our Christian brothers in need. Not only to perform charitable works, but also because of a worry for the overall future of our values and identity," Török added.

Meanwhile, Hungary has offered asylum to Iranian actress Aideen Strandsson who faces deportation from Sweden to Iran after rejecting Islam to embrace Christianity. After learning about her story, the Hungarian government announced the offer via its official website, acknowledging the potential danger to her life if ever she would be sent back to her home country, Premier relayed.

Historical Christians in Iran enjoy religious freedom, but Christian converts do not share the same situation. Strandsson's lawyer Gabriel Donner reportedly said prisoners in the Islamic country are usually subjected to torture and rape.

Strandsson submitted to public baptism when she converted to Christianity after she arrived in Sweden in 2014. The Iranian actress previously sought asylum with the Swedish government, but the application was rejected twice.