The country is home to more than a million Ukrainians who have fled the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Far from their native Ukraine, hundreds of thousands have taken refuge in Poland since the Russian invasion. Two years after this conflict, some returned home. Others preferred to stay. And supporting them remains essential, according to certain organizations that help them.
“We help people pay their taxes and file their returns, a lot of retirees come to us for help, even for small things, but they really need it. This aid is still as important as ever, it must continue. The war isn’t over, it’s not even half over“, explains Svitlana Kotova, who works at the legal support and information center.
Poland recently extended its financial assistance to Ukrainian citizens until June 30. But the government of Donald Tusk admitted to having difficulties financing this aid.
“Indeed, a number of refugees are still very vulnerable, the United Nations Refugee Agency and around a hundred other partners have launched an appeal for additional and complementary assistance to help the government in its work, to help the host communities. More than a million refugees remain in Poland today. This creates a certain pressure on social services” said Kevin J. Allen, UNHCR representative in Poland.
The government is currently working on changing the law regarding the stay of Ukrainian refugees – they will be allowed to stay in the country, but probably under different conditions.
“This is a good time to examine the real and necessary needs of refugees and exiles from Ukraine at this time. Therefore, after June there will certainly be another review of the situation and needs: maybe some needs will no longer be valid, maybe there will be new needs, and depending on this, the government will take the necessary decisions” said left-wing Polish MP Wanda Nowicka.
In the meantime, all Polish political forces seem to be focused on requests for military aid to Ukraine. Which, as they point out, is a crucial topic in recent days, explains Euronews journalist Magdalena Chodownik.