KRAKOW, Poland — Aid workers in Europe are facing the reality that the war in Ukraine could continue for years, and they are now settling in for a long-term effort to support the traumatized population affected by Russia’s invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy includes targeting civilians and vital infrastructure such as dams, energy facilities, and agricultural areas. This has left Ukrainians physically and mentally wounded, living in a state of uncertainty and limbo.
Humanitarian workers on the front lines in Poland are providing practical and emotional support to Ukrainians who have been displaced by the war. The challenges they face are immense, as the refugees are reluctant to start afresh in a new country, learn a new language, find stable jobs, secure permanent housing, and enroll their children in local schools. The fatigue and uncertainty in Ukraine make it even more difficult for these individuals to rebuild their lives after fleeing their homes.
There are currently around 6 million Ukrainian refugees in Europe, with almost 1 million in Poland alone. In response to the crisis, grassroots organizations like Zero Camps have emerged to provide temporary housing for refugees. These organizations, funded largely by donations from the United States, have repurposed empty hostels and office buildings to accommodate the influx of refugees.
Zero Camps, for instance, began filling beds in March 2020 and has nearly all 126 spots filled to date. The organization has renovated the spaces and plans to open a restaurant in 2022 called Ciepło, which means “warmth” or “comfort” in Polish. The aim is to create a gathering place where people can learn about Ukrainian culture and the hardships of war. The restaurant will serve homemade Ukrainian meals, prepared by women staying at the hostel.
Leading these initiatives is Mateusz Zguda, a Krakow-based tech worker who has dedicated himself to providing support to Ukrainian refugees. However, Zguda admits to feeling tired and despondent at times, as the future remains uncertain. Nevertheless, he believes in the importance of their work and hopes to make a positive impact.
While some refugees remain in Poland, others have chosen to resettle and rebuild their lives elsewhere. This plays into Putin’s hands, further destabilizing the region. For refugees like Marta Luchko-Heysheva, leaving their home city of Lviv was a difficult decision, but the ongoing conflict made it necessary. Luchko-Heysheva has embraced her new life in Poland, learning the language and volunteering to help other refugees. She has found employment providing psychosocial care for Ukrainian and Polish children, but she understands that her job is dependent on funding from private donors.
The need for support continues to grow as new refugees arrive, fleeing the ongoing fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and organizations like UNICEF are working to refer refugees in need of housing assistance to groups like Zero Camps. Despite the challenges, UNHCR remains committed to supporting Polish and Ukrainian NGOs and grassroots organizations in the long term.
The road ahead is challenging, but aid workers, refugees, and organizations like Zero Camps are determined to provide support and create a community that offers solace to those affected by the conflict.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
