By Chrystyna Halytska
Poland provides overwhelming support to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The Polish government has granted citizens of Ukraine several exemptions. In particular, they are exempted from fares in Warsaw while students are also exempted from expenses of residence at dormitories.
And assistance is proving highly effective on a voluntary basis. Two main volunteer centers in Warsaw are situated at the Warszawa Zachodnia and Warszawa Wschodnia Train Stations, where Ukrainians are helped to access information points, among other things. A large number of volunteers work for temporary accommodation centers. Specifically, they are responsible for translation/interpreting services, and assistance in registering Ukrainians.
A lot of Poles and Ukrainians join the following volunteer organizations:
- The Ukrainian House in Warsaw offers help to Ukrainian refugees. More information: https://ukrainskidom.pl
- The Warsaw Multicultural Center. This is a major institution providing support for foreigners who either live in Warsaw or arrive there. The Center is now focusing its efforts on helping Ukrainians. More information: https://centrumwielokulturowe.waw.pl/en/.
Other organizations that provide assistance to Ukrainian families and children are as follows:
- Strefa Wolnosłowa
- Fundacja Dla Wolności
- Fundacja Zwalcz Nudę
- Centrum Kultury Filmowej im. Andrzeja Wajdy.
We often have huge demonstrations in front of the Russian embassy in Warsaw to protest against Putin’s war. Recently, Poland has blocked the Russian embassy’s bank accounts.
In addition to free housing at dormitories, Ukrainian students can receive free mental health support at the University of Warsaw (Centrum Pomocy Psychologicznej UW).
Living in a dormitory at the University of Warsaw, I met a lot of students from different Ukraine’s cities. We feel sure that despite all the pain we have to endure every day, victory will be ours. Ukrainian people are the nation with great willpower and a sense of deep love for their Motherland.