How can we help refugees from Ukraine in Poland and other European countries?

A troubling situation in the world

The situation on the world stage continues to raise serious concerns. In recent days, more than 800,000 people have left Europe in search of refuge. Unfortunately, this data is not final. Experts suggest that the flow of migrants to European Union countries could soon increase to 5 million refugees.

The burden on EU countries

In this case, the main burden may fall on countries such as Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Where can refugees seek support in these countries? We have gathered all the relevant information available at the moment.

Reduction of bureaucratic barriers

To ease this situationEuropean Commissionstrongly urges EU countries to reduce administrative barriers for Ukrainian citizens. All 27 member states of the bloc have started accepting Ukrainian refugees, bypassing traditional procedures for obtaining asylum status. This decision was made at a unanimous meeting of the interior ministers of EU countries.

At the moment, in order to leave Ukraine and cross the EU border, refugees will only need a passport or another identity document with a photo. Additionally, when crossing the border, it is not necessary to provide:

• PCR tests;
• Vaccination certificates;
• Documents for pets.

Poland as a key destination

Poland has become a key country for residents of conflict regions. Ukrainians can cross the border at any functioning checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border, which operates around the clock. The Polish government has stated its readiness to provide comprehensive assistance.

At the border, they are greeted by numerous volunteers ready to offer information, water, and food, as well as assistance with transportation to the necessary locations. Online, databases of carriers are actively being created to ensure the delivery of people from border areas to various cities in Poland.

Emergency assistance map

Currently, there is access to an interactive emergency assistance map, where you can find important resources such as:

• Medications;
• Food;
• Clean water;
• Clothing;
• Temporary shelter;
• Transport;
• Medical care.

Those who wish to support peaceful citizens can place their information on this map. What do people need most of all? First and foremost, they need:

• Housing;
• Translator assistance;
• Legal and psychological consultations;
• Warm clothing and personal hygiene items.

Calls for help

The local population of Poland that is able to help is being called to fill out volunteer applications. A large number of requests from various Polish cities have already been registered in the general database of those willing to help. The Polish Hotel Industry Association and the Catholic Church have joined this humanitarian initiative.

The Polish government is also actively working to provide extensive assistance — specialized support and temporary accommodation centers have been opened in several Polish cities. Detailed information can be found in the relevant sources.

In Poland, a comprehensive support program for citizens in difficult situations is currently being implemented. A youth hub from Belarus plays a significant role in this important process. If you are in Poland and facing issues, we strongly encourage you to fill out the questionnaire at the provided link.

Useful resources for refugees

For people currently in Poland, it is helpful to have information about various organizations that provide assistance to refugees. There is also a list of volunteers and transporters at the border, which can be very useful in difficult situations.

Guide to International Protection

An invaluable resource for traveling tourists is the guide to international protection in Poland, which can significantly assist in finding necessary services. If you are planning to find a travel companion within the country, consider joining the chat @perevezite or other groups dedicated to organizing transportation. There is also a general chat aimed at helping Ukrainians in Poland — @nashiwpolsce.

Emigration of Ukrainian citizens to Poland

Citizens of Ukraine intending to emigrate to Poland can also receive up-to-date information.On February 26 of this year, new rules came into effect in the country....allowing citizens of Ukraine to use PKP Intercity trains in the TLK and IC economy class throughout the country for free. Free tickets are issued upon presentation of a Ukrainian citizen passport.

Registration in Lithuania

As for Lithuania, the registration of Ukrainian citizens arriving in the country is organized in six specialized centers:

• Alitus
• Mariampol
• Vilnius
• Klaipeda
• Shiauliai
• Kaunas

It is also possible to register at local offices of the migration department. In the coming days, the number of these centers is expected to increase. All of them operate around the clock.

Services of registration centers

In the registration centers, you can get complete information about the opportunities related to staying in Lithuania. Temporary accommodation is organized for arrivals, and food packages and medical assistance are provided. After registration, Ukrainian citizens can apply for a residence permit valid for one year or a national visa with the same duration.

Visa-free regime for citizens of Ukraine

If you have a biometric passport and the validity of your national visa or temporary residence permit in Lithuania is expiring, then upon the expiration of these documents, you can immediately switch to90-day visa-free regimeIn the process of preparing for the trip, it is recommended to register online in advance and fill out an application for a residence permit, for which a video guide is available.

Housing initiatives

For those who cannot stay with acquaintances, an initiative is being proposed.Strong Together...that helps find housing for three months without the need for payment. The agency also...CapitalOne of the largest real estate companies offers assistance in finding housing for both those who have arrived from Ukraine and for locals who are looking for tenants for their apartments.

The specialists at Capital provide free services for preparing all the necessary documents for rental, carefully ensuring that the placement process goes smoothly and monitoring transactions throughout the entire rental period.

Jobs for Ukrainians in Lithuania

Citizens of Ukraine and their families who have left their country due to military conflicts have the opportunity to find work in Lithuania without the need for any permits. If you have any questions, you can call +370 686 77737 or write to [email protected].

Hotline for migration issues

For Ukrainian citizens in need of information in their native language, there is a special hotline for migration issues: +370 5 271 7112. It operates daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. There are also 24-hour numbers available for inquiries on the following issues:

• Housing:+370 677 22222
• Humanitarian aid:+370 684 98 688

Support for migrants

If we consider the situation from the perspective of support for displaced persons, it is worth noting that temporary centers have been established near the crossing points in Palanka and Oknica, where essential services are provided to people arriving from conflict zones. Here, basic legal and humanitarian assistance is offered, as well as food distribution. In the tent camps, rescue workers help people warm up, eat, and receive medical care.

Volunteer assistance

In addition, many volunteers are ready to transport Ukrainian refugees to Chișinău free of charge. In this city, the previously used COVID center at Moldexpo has been converted and can accommodate up to 500 people. Every day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, a collection of donations is also organized here — volunteers accept food items and warm clothing.

Support groups on social media

There is a group on the social network Facebook called "Help for Ukrainians in Moldova" or "SOS українці молдова," where local residents offer accommodation and food for Ukrainian refugees. The available apartments are located both in Chisinau itself and in nearby villages. Additionally, tourist complexes are opening their doors to Ukrainians.

Housing options for refugees

On the website 999.md, there is a section dedicated to "Housing for Refugees," where information about houses and apartments offered for free is posted. An example is the Mimi Castle, located 35 km from Chișinău in Bulboaca, which is ready to provide support to those who have lost their homes. People in need of assistance can contact the following phone numbers: 062 001 893 and 062 100 521.

Other accommodation options

Another tourist complex, "Koshtești," located 20 km from Chișinău, has also announced the possibility of accommodating Ukrainian refugees. You can contact them at the following phone numbers: 069 303 499 and 069 138 559.

Readiness to provide assistance

In addition, the Purcari Wines winery has announced its readiness to welcome at least 20 families in Ștefan Vodă. For assistance, you can call the number 068 353 031, which is also available 24/7.

Free rental for families with children in Ukraine

The real estate agency "Pro Imobil" announced the launch of a program under which five apartments will be provided free of charge to families with young children in Ukraine.

Support for Ukrainians in Moldova

In Moldova, several dining establishments, including "Creme de la Creme," located on a pedestrian street, as well as the restaurant "Pegas," are actively helping Ukrainians in difficult situations by offering free meals.

The restaurant "Pegas" also provides special coupons for purchasing products in the chain's stores, which helps people facing difficulties due to the conflict acquire essential goods for living.

Border crossing checkpoints

Currently, the most sought-after border crossings are the Moldovan-Ukrainian points, such as Palanca and Tudora, as well as the Moldovan-Romanian points, Sculeni and Leușeni.

People in Moldova have access to various useful resources, including:

• The official channel of the country's government is @prima_sursa_md, where information about assistance for Ukrainian citizens in Moldova is posted.
• The account @moldovaukraina has up-to-date information.
• A Facebook group where you can find out about available routes from the border and options for free accommodation.

There is also a table in the group with contacts of those who are willing to offer assistance with housing and transportation issues.

Romania and Ukrainian refugees

Romania, located on the Black Sea coast, has taken in tens of thousands of refugees from Ukraine.

Citizens of Ukraine can apply for asylum directly in Romania or continue their journey to countries such as Poland, Italy, and Germany.

To provide more effective assistance in Romania, a Facebook group called "Об’єднaні за Україну" (United for Ukraine) has been created, where you can find information about housing and transportation options.

The Romanian government is ready to accept up to half a million people and provide them with the necessary humanitarian support.

Resources for Ukrainians in Romania

Ukrainian refugees in Romania have access to various information, including:

• Support is not far from the Sighet - Maramureș checkpoint.
• Help in the city of Oradea, where to find housing, food, and supplies.
• Help chat @romaniahelp2022.

There is also the option to fill out a form to receive assistance.

The situation in Hungary

The situation in Hungary is such that the country is ready to accept a significant number of citizens fleeing from the conflict.

The situation at the border with the Transcarpathian region remains calm, and as of February 28, the queues for crossing the border are minimal.

Ukrainians can travel by train across Hungary without the need to pay.

Useful links for Ukrainian citizens in Hungary

For Ukrainian citizens in Hungary, there are several useful resources:

• A Facebook page dedicated to helping refugees called "Help for Ukrainians," where you can find information about housing and transportation.
• Lists of volunteers ready to help with transportation at the border.
• A table with data on the possibility of finding housing and information on asylum provision from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee.

Simplification of border crossing rules in Slovakia

Slovakia is also simplifying the rules for Ukrainians by opening access to all border crossings with Ukraine, except for the railway connection on the section from Čierna nad Tisou to Chop, where train services have been suspended.

This creates additional opportunities for those seeking a safe space and a way out of the current situation.

Crossing the border with Slovakia

Residents of Ukraine have the opportunity to cross the border into Slovakia, even if they do not have a biometric passport. The main requirement is to have an identity document. The pedestrian crossing in Veľké Slemence, near Uzhhorod, operates around the clock.

Refugee shelters in Slovakia

In the Slovak city of Humenné, a temporary shelter has been established for people who have left the conflict zone. The two border regions, Košice and Prešov, are offering free accommodation for Ukrainians. Refugees can stay in:

• specialized hotels;
• schools;
• administrative institutions.

Support from the Slovak government

Minister of Finance of SlovakiaIgor Matovic stated that all Ukrainians can count on temporary asylum and work permits. The government will also provide financial support to those who are willing to host people who have fled the conflict.

Information in Russian is available at the migration center in Slovakia.

Useful resources for those in Slovakia

For those who are already in Slovakia, useful resources are provided:

• Information from local authorities is published on the Telegraph platform.
• A bot is available for assistance (Help Coordination Center);
• A list of volunteers helping with border crossings has been compiled;
• Facebook groups have been created to help Ukrainians.
• housing request form;
• aid fund in Slovakia.

Help from the Czech Republic

Czechia is also ready to provide shelter to everyone who has decided to leave Ukraine. In the city of Brno, work is already underway to find and prepare housing for the temporary accommodation of Ukrainians from conflict areas.

At the Medyka border crossing, volunteers are offering assistance in the form of food, transportation, and information about available accommodation. Citizens of the Czech Republic who can host refugees should contact the Refugee Affairs Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.

Resources for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic

For those who are currently in the Czech Republic, useful resources are being offered:

• organizations providing legal support for housing individuals;
• Facebook groups offering their help to Ukrainians;
• information about the possibility of housing provided by local citizens;
• information in Czech

In addition, there is an information hotline from the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, where you can get answers to questions about entry from Ukraine.

Support for refugees in Germany

Germany is also actively providing assistance to refugees. On a platform created by a resident of Germany, Arkadiy Yampolsky, offers of housing from people willing to provide it to Ukrainians for free or at a reduced cost are being collected.

Currently, there are over 3,500 available spots, with 40% of them offered completely free of charge, and 90% priced below500 euros per monthIn the most urgent cases, direct contact will be made with the property owners.

Next week, the launch of another public platform is scheduled, where Ukrainians will be able to rent housing online in Germany.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the current humanitarian situation in Europe requires active actions and unity from all EU member states. We have witnessed an incredible wave of solidarity as governments, organizations, and ordinary citizens come together to support those suffering from conflicts. So far, over 800,000 people have found refuge in Europe, but this is just the beginning, and many more are in need of assistance.

It is very important that volunteer initiatives in countries like Poland and Lithuania demonstrate how a shared desire to help can change people's lives. Creating emergency assistance maps and refugee reception points is a response to the urgent needs of departing citizens. I believe that despite the challenges, we can and must do everything in our power to alleviate the suffering of those who are forced to leave their homes.

I sincerely hope that the information gathered in this article will be helpful for those looking for ways to overcome the crisis. I also urge everyone who can to contribute to supporting refugees, whether it be:

• financial assistance,
• participation in volunteer movements,
• even simple friendly support.

Each of us has the ability to change someone's life for the better. In these difficult times, our humanity and willingness to help are more important than ever.