Smaller towns organise support and shelter for refugees

Refugees from Ukraine continued pouring into Poland as numbers reached 2 million in the country, the Polish Border Guard said on Friday (March 18).

The refugees, mostly women, and children, crossed the border by foot and were taken care of by volunteers and local firefighters. Service points were made available, with food supplies and toys for the children.

As the conflict in Ukraine entered its fourth week, about 3.2 million have fled abroad, United Nations data showed on Thursday (March 17), in what has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two.

Since the start of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24, 282,000 people have fled to Hungary, 270,000 to the Czech Republic, and 491,000 to Romania, with the most refugees - 2 million - in Poland, according to government and UN data.

Many of the refugees choose bigger cities as their destination or go further west to other EU countries, where they have relatives or friends. Many of htem, however, don't know what to do next.

The first places such many people turn to are reception points, often in smaller towns such as Hrubieszów - Poland's furthest town to the east. "We are the biggest reception point in the region. More than 2,000 people on average turn up here every day. In total, at least 40,000 refugees went through our point. Hrubieszów alone has 11,000 residents, so these numbers are really high for us," Hrubieszów Mayor Marta Majewska told TVN24.

The mayor admits that although it is a huge undertaking, the residents and volunteers from other places are rising to the challenge. "It's like a social movement, a sign of empathy of sorts, sign of solidarity, which we have never experienced here before," she added.

Marta Majewska thanked everyone for their support, but also called for more help. "We still need more hands to work" - she says, adding that the only requirement is will and enthusiasm, no need to worry for anything else. Volunteers can apply at the Hrubieszów town hall website.

After a few days spent at the reception point, refugees often don't know what to do next. Poland's Commissioner for Human Rights, Marcin Wiącek, has an excellent advice. "I'd like to address all people running away from war. Ladies and gentlemen, please remember that Poland not only has big cities. In Poland there are also wonderful smaller towns and we encourage you to accept their invitation," he appealed. "I'm really impressed with the way the smaller towns have welcomed refugees," he added.

The ombudsman assures that choosing smaller towns has a number of advantages. "For instance, please look at the long queues to receive PESEL number in Warsaw or Kraków. In smaller places, things like that can be sorted out practically in an instant and Ukrainian citizens can enjoy their rightful privileges," Wiącek explained.

A northern town of Pelplin (Pomeranian Voivodeship) is a good example showing that refugees can count on a more individual approach. At the moment, 140 war refugees are residing there. One of them is Ludmila.

The woman used to come to Pelplin to carry out seasonal work at a local milk farm. Now, she has found a safe place to stay for herself and her family. "We're helping from the goodness of heart. Ludmila doesn't have to work anymore, we would have hosted her anyway, but still she wants to," says Henryk Mokwa, the farm manager.

He helped the woman to sort out the formalities, including PESEL number and bank account. "We have roof over our heads, we have work. What else could we need," Ludmila says.

Pelpin Mayor Mirosław Chyła encourages refugees, whom he calls "town's new residents", to come along, assuring that they will find place there. He adds, however, that better coordination of help would be useful. "Obviously this wave of enthusiasm, openness and cordiality will weaken, and when it does, help from the central and local authorities will be necessary. People have huge hearts, but they do have limited durability," he said.