Editor's Note: Witold Smyk has kindly sent us two recent reports on the response in Poland to the refugee crisis posed by the massive influx of refugees from the war in Ukraine. This is the first of the two. We are grateful to Witold for his reports. If any other members are in the countries receiving Ukrainian refugees, please keep us posted on their situation and on ways XUNICEF members can help.
From Witold
I am sending two reports. The one below relates to the situation in general, refugees routes, the Warsaw transport hub and a big reception center.
Witold
The first refugees from the Ukraine have arrived in our town (Monschau), which is in the far west of Germany, on the border to Belgium. Given the experience with the Syrian refugee crisis, the authorities seem to be well prepared and capable of assisting refugees from the point of entry to their envisaged place in the host commune.
ReplyDeleteArriving Ukrainians do not need visa and do not need to apply for visa, but can apply for protection under which they will receive accommodation, either in rented flats or houses where groups of refugees can live. They also receive free medical services and allowances for food. Transport by train or bus is free, no tickets are required.
Ordinary citizens – including XUNICEF staff – can help to give those refugees a temporary home and make them feel welcome. In many locations citizens have been creating associations of volunteers to assist refugees with completing documentation, translation, help in finding accommodation, German bureaucracy, registering children in school, getting their vaccinations, doctor’s appointments, and so on. Gabi has been managing such an association in our town for several years. She is now attempting to learn Ukrainian language.
UNICEF Germany is built on a network of 8000 volunteers working in 200 groups across Germany, though I do not know to what degree they engage in assistance to refugees (from Ukraine or elsewhere) in Germany, other than raising funds.
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