The Russian aggression in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked a new chapter in the European history of refugees, whilst Poland has played a crucial role in responding to and managing the refugee crisis. Around 7.6 million Ukrainians, mostly women with children, crossed the Polish border in the first months of the war, making Poland one of the largest hubs for hosting or further relocating those fleeing the conflict. After almost three years of war, there are a number of questions worth asking, including how this support has been implemented, the approach to the different needs of refugees, and the outlook for changes in integration efforts. This chapter analyses the complex assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. We start with a brief recollection of the first months of the war, marked by an unprecedented all-Poland grassroots mobilisation of support to secure the most basic and immediate needs of the arriving refugees (access to information, food, clothing and shelter, and contact with the key institutions). Then, we examine the Polish state’s efforts to respond to the socially sensitive long-term needs of refugee women settling in Poland. We briefly map out the overall help provided so far before focusing primarily on the neglected areas, especially the issue of violence, well-being and mental health support, stable housing, and appropriate integration. We also highlight key recommendations for improving state responses in these neglected areas.

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From Grassroots Mobilisation to Securing Diverse Long-Term Needs? A Critical Analysis of the Complex Assistance Provided to Ukrainian Refugees in Poland Between 2022 and 2024

  • Dorota Szpakowicz,
  • Krystyna Slany,
  • Magdalena Ślusarczyk,
  • Ewa Krzaklewska

摘要

The Russian aggression in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 marked a new chapter in the European history of refugees, whilst Poland has played a crucial role in responding to and managing the refugee crisis. Around 7.6 million Ukrainians, mostly women with children, crossed the Polish border in the first months of the war, making Poland one of the largest hubs for hosting or further relocating those fleeing the conflict. After almost three years of war, there are a number of questions worth asking, including how this support has been implemented, the approach to the different needs of refugees, and the outlook for changes in integration efforts. This chapter analyses the complex assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. We start with a brief recollection of the first months of the war, marked by an unprecedented all-Poland grassroots mobilisation of support to secure the most basic and immediate needs of the arriving refugees (access to information, food, clothing and shelter, and contact with the key institutions). Then, we examine the Polish state’s efforts to respond to the socially sensitive long-term needs of refugee women settling in Poland. We briefly map out the overall help provided so far before focusing primarily on the neglected areas, especially the issue of violence, well-being and mental health support, stable housing, and appropriate integration. We also highlight key recommendations for improving state responses in these neglected areas.