Help for Ukrainian refugees – the capital appeals for systemic solutions

Over the past two weeks, more than 1.3 million refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Poland. It is estimated that around 250,000 of them have headed towards Warsaw. The situation is becoming increasingly difficult for local governments, which are increasingly trying to help refugees. That is why the capital is once again appealing for specific systemic solutions.

The Mayor of Warsaw points out that it is worth using already available solutions, such as the EU system run by the European Commission's Directorate General ECHO or the UN cluster aid system. Among the specific proposals are also large reception centres for refugees located not only on the Polish-Ukrainian border, but in many other places in Poland. Given that the railway station infrastructure in Warsaw is currently at the limit of its endurance, it is also necessary to redirect special trains to other locations. Here, too, government action is necessary.

Rafał Trzaskowski points out that according to experts, the wave of Ukrainian refugees may ultimately number 3, 4 or even 5 million people. Therefore, it is necessary to create a long-term systemic solution. At the same time, the Warsaw local government declares its continued assistance for people arriving from Ukraine.

Support comes from different directions

President Trzaskowski spoke yesterday with representatives of the largest aid organizations in the country about possible solutions that will help alleviate the effects of the refugee crisis and prepare for its aftermath: the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, the Polish Humanitarian Action, Caritas and UNICEF. All agree that long-term aid requires support from all sides – not only the government and local governments, but also other countries and organizations.

Many Polish local governments continue to offer assistance to Warsaw, accepting refugees arriving in the capital.

Basic support for refugees – Warsaw continues its activities

Despite the increasingly difficult situation, the capital is doing everything it can to support Ukrainians seeking refuge from the war. Yesterday alone, city information points at the Eastern and Western Railway Stations and at the Multicultural Center provided assistance to 19,500 people. Traffic from 14 trains and 90 buses that arrived from the border were handled, and 26 vehicles of Warsaw Public Transport were used to transport refugees in Warsaw and to locations within the Mazovian Voivodeship - in total, over 2,600 people benefited from such assistance yesterday.

In the city resources alone, 2,251 refugees found accommodation, and the city hotline received 1,450 calls requesting assistance.

Such an organization of support for arriving Ukrainians would not be possible without the support of Warsaw volunteers. Currently, over 8,300 people are willing to work in this way. Residents of the capital continue to offer their help – so far via the website ochotnicy.waw.pl The city received a total of over 4,300 applications offering an apartment or room. Yesterday alone, there were about 100 of them.

Medical assistance for refugees

Those fleeing the war in Ukraine need not only rest or food, but sometimes they also require medical assistance. That is why Warsaw has organised 24-hour emergency medical assistance points at the Wschodni and Zachodni railway stations and on the premises of the Arena Ursynów facility – they have provided assistance to almost 400 refugees.

Some of the people who report to medical points need painkillers or antipyretics, but some of the patients require urgent hospitalization. So far, 154 people have been admitted to 11 city hospitals, of whom 49 were hospitalized, and 7 children were born.

Municipal medical entities have provided medical care to over 20 temporary refugee residences. Depending on the number of people staying there, stationary medical points have been opened, and in the case of smaller locations, mobile care or teleconsultations are provided.

To date, municipal healthcare entities have provided assistance to over 1,000 refugees. For those who decided to stay in Warsaw, there are also a leaflet in Ukrainian with information about the organization of the healthcare system in Poland.

Additional places in schools

The number of Ukrainian students who started their education in Warsaw schools and kindergartens has increased to over 1,800 – almost twice as many as the previous day. It is also known that this number will continue to grow. Educational institutions in the capital are preparing new preparatory classes – there are currently 68 such classes operating throughout the city. In cooperation with municipal and non-public institutions, additional places for learning Polish are also being prepared.

Psychological help is also offered to Ukrainian children and young people. Currently, there are 24 psychological-pedagogical and specialist clinics in Warsaw, which offer help in the following languages: Ukrainian, Russian and English.

Media contact:

Monika Beuth-Lutyk
spokeswoman for the Warsaw City Hall
tel. 22 44 333 80, 510 205 503
e-mail: wydzialprasowy@um.warszawa.pl