Refugee care system in Warsaw – new challenges

Almost two million people have crossed Poland's borders since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. A total of around 445,000 war refugees have reached Warsaw, of which around 300,000 have stayed in the capital.

The number of Warsaw residents has increased by about 171,000 since the beginning of the invasion. Previously, officially 67,000 Ukrainians lived in the capital.

– Warsaw is already working on a program to integrate our guests from Ukraine in the capital, not forgetting about the daily needs of its residents. This poses completely new challenges for us. There are more and more tasks ahead of us – from implementing the provisions of the adopted special act, such as assigning PESEL numbers to the increasing number of children in Warsaw schools. That is why we are also waiting for the government's promises to be fulfilled. – said the Mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski.

District points have been operating since yesterday – as expected, there are many people willing. Yesterday, 1,350 procedures were carried out. Therefore, it is very important to launch the point at the National Stadium as soon as possible, which will operate from Saturday, in cooperation between the Government and the City.

Statistics and help

Yesterday, the city serviced traffic from 13 trains and 51 buses. Since February 24, 217 trains and about 957 buses have arrived in Warsaw. Volunteers are helping to service this traffic. The current number of people willing to help has exceeded 10k.(10593).

– Every day we benefit from the support of volunteers Warsaw Volunteers, this is a group of all ages, without which providing a care system, especially first aid, would be impossible – said today the deputy mayor of Warsaw, Aldona Machnowska-Góra.

– Yesterday, volunteers and city services provided assistance to almost 7,000 people, fewer than in previous days, because the influx of people directly to Warsaw is smaller. However, since the beginning of the war, our volunteers have provided assistance to over 170,000 refugees – added Machnowska-Gora.

Accommodation

Currently, there are 10,000 people accommodated in municipal facilities. 1786 people, including 730 children. In total, there are currently over 3,164 beds. 13 children were born to refugee mothers.

– That is why we are expanding the system of stay and integration, preparing rooms for mothers with newborns who need to be provided with other conditions of stay – says Vice President Aldona Machnowska-Góra.

Warsaw residents offered their apartments and rooms via the website ochotnicy.waw.pl – there are almost 5 thousand applications.

Education

Every day, more than 1,000 children from Ukraine arrive at Warsaw educational institutions. New preparatory classes are being established. In 56 schools (446 primary schools and 10 high schools) – a total of 1,000 children from Ukraine operate in Warsaw. 98 preparatory units, 4 more since yesterdayThe number of students from Ukraine who started studying in Warsaw schools and kindergartens has increased to 8698 (1173 since yesterday) – 1,952 preschool children, 6,015 primary school students, 721 secondary school students and 10 post-secondary school students.

Communication and transportation of gifts

From the beginning of its operations, ZTM ensured 881 bus routes to the accommodation places, transporting almost 32k people. Yesterday alone, 1000 were used to transport refugees. 20 vehicles WTP that performed 75 courses transporting a total of 2504 people dlocated in the capital city of Warsaw and the Masovian Voivodeship.

Warsaw collected and distributed over 2100 pallets (approx. 1000 tons) of gifts. A huge part of them has already reached Ukraine, including Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv and Rivne. Most often, these are long-expiry food, hygiene products, chemicals, medicines, clothes.

Work for refugees - Warsaw mediation point

Since March 15, the Ukrainian Citizens' Service Point of the District Labor Office of the Capital City of Warsaw has been operating. It is located at ul. Marszałkowska 77/79. So far, over 100 refugees have been registered, and there have been many more asking about employment opportunities. They are mainly women. Among them are lawyers and doctors, who are looking for any job. This group also includes people with disabilities, e.g. deaf and dumb. Employers wishing to employ Ukrainian citizens can do so themselves or submit a job offer to the office.

It works all the time Warsaw hotline for Ukrainian citizens 505 700 701 (from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), information is also available on the website of the Capital City of Warsaw in the Ukrainian language version.

Source: Warsaw City Hall