The last weeks in Poland have been marked by the great mobilisation of local authorities, many organisations and huge numbers of ordinary people. All this has been done to confront the most serious humanitarian crisis we have experienced in our recent history. At the moment, more than 2.1 million people have arrived in Poland to escape the war. As Jesuits, we are making every effort to contribute to the relief effort in Ukraine.
In the first days of the war, collections were organised in many institutions, also in our schools and parishes. On the one hand, products were collected that were later sent to Ukraine, on the other hand, funds were collected. On one Sunday at the Sanctuary of St Andrew Bobola in Warsaw, people donated over 50,000 zlotys (10,706 euros). This generosity stems from a desire to help the Ukrainians and was felt in all our works, especially in the parishes. Many of the collection points that were organised in the first days after the outbreak of war are still operating: this is the case in Gdynia, Warsaw and Krakow.
Finding accomodation
The real challenge is to find accommodation for all those who come to Poland. Most Jesuit parishes have taken in refugees. Some are hosted in community houses; others have been taken in by parishioners. It is difficult to estimate the total number of refugees accepted. In Gliwice, 20 people are currently living in a community house, including three children who are 1.5 years old. In Nowy Sącz, 5 people are living in a religious house and another 15 have found shelter among parishioners. In the house in Gdynia 16 refugees have been received, including four children and two people with disabilities. Many others were received among local parishioners. Refugees were also received in the following municipalities: Warsaw-Rakowiecka, Warsaw-Falenica, Toruń, Bytom, Łódź. The Jesuit Social Centre "In Action" has also made an effort to provide accommodation for refugees. It created a special form where people could express their willingness to host refugees. Thanks to their commitment, over 70 people found shelter. The centre maintains contact with hosts and refugees and provides them with further assistance. JCS "In Action" also runs a reception point at the border crossing in Zosin.
the team "Jesuits for Ukraine"
Help for Ukraine is coordinated by the team "Jesuits for Ukraine", set up by the Polish Provincials. At its head is Fr. Vitaliy Osmolovskyy SJ. The team is primarily involved in sending aid to Ukraine. A regular transport link with Lviv has been established. A van was purchased for this purpose. In addition to it, several more minibuses were sent with humanitarian aid. Funds have also been donated to some institutions in Ukraine, especially Jesuit works that help refugees. At the moment, the team is acting as an intermediary between refugees in Poland and organisations in the West willing to receive refugees. Transports have already taken place to Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal. In the first two cases, 80 people have been transported. Such assistance is very important, as many more refugees are expected to arrive in Poland. The team is also monitoring the situation in our provinces and passing on the necessary information to the parishes. The team has also helped other organisations that send aid to Ukraine. Sometimes this has consisted only of passing on relevant information as to where the aid can be delivered, and in other cases it is long-term cooperation. For example, we cooperate with the American team "Operation White Stork", which deals with the action of bringing refugees to Poland and providing medical supplies. The "Jesuits for Ukraine" team has also started collecting funds for scholarships for Ukrainian students. This goal is supported by Jesuit schools in the USA.
Many projects have been started in our provinces to support refugees. The parish in Opole has opened a point for mothers and their children. In Warsaw, it has been decided to open a kindergarten for Ukrainians - the renovation of the necessary premises has already begun. In Gdynia, several rooms belonging to the parish are being renovated. Soon a new group of refugees will find shelter there. Also in Nowy Sacz the Jesuits have begun to prepare rooms for the organisation of a centre for Ukrainians. It is planned that this centre will be a place where their cultural events, groups will take place and where they can receive psychological help. Psychological help for Ukrainians has already been organised in Poznań. Jesuit schools are preparing to receive Ukrainian children: some have already done so. At the Jesuit university in Krakow, in addition to providing accommodation for refugees and collecting aid for Ukraine, Polish language courses are being held for new arrivals.
There is a huge challenge before us to create good living conditions for millions of refugees. Some of them have already found accommodation in Jesuit parishes, homes and workplaces, and projects are underway in the Polish provinces to support them. We are beginning a long-term process in which refugees will be able to find work, their own accommodation and integrate. At the same time, we are expecting more arrivals and we will not cease in our efforts to send aid to Ukraine.
Krzysztof Dudek SJ
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