War in Ukraine - how to help refugees wisely?
Due to the conflict on our eastern border, more than a million refugees have arrived in our country in a short time and their number is constantly growing. We have been helping those in need practically from the very beginning, providing shelter and basic necessities. This social upheaval is fantastic, but we are also wondering how to find ourselves in the current situation for longer and what advice to give so that those fleeing the war can function in Poland for as long as it is necessary.
Refugees are terrified, tired of fleeing, exhausting journey, and often do not know what to do next. We help them as much as we can, but we realize that the energy must last longer. What we can certainly do is to provide them with as much information as possible about what awaits them at the border and where to get support in the first moments after arriving in a new country for them. A temporary roof over your head and your own space to rest and collect your thoughts is the basis for further actions, i.e. developing a plan that will help refugees stand on their own two feet and start an independent life in Poland.
After satisfying basic needs, such as a meal, clothes or accommodation, it is worth preparing a specific idea for those in need of further steps towards finding themselves in the new reality ,” says Darya Yagovdik, Legalisation Manager at LeasingTeam Group. It is certainly worth following the regulations, which are adapted to the dynamically changing situation on an ongoing basis. Providing information about systemic solutions and facilities is now the most important thing we can do for those fleeing the war.
Crossing the border
When crossing the border, it is worth having the most important documents with them – passport, children’s birth certificates, medical records. If these documents are not available –
In the current situation, you can cross the border anyway – also on foot. There are reception points at the border, where you should report to receive information, for example about free accommodation options.
At the very beginning, it is worth providing refugees with contacts on the hotline, where they will get answers to any questions also in Ukrainian. These are, m.in, the following:
- helpline for refugees from Ukraine +48 47 721 75 75
- Border Guard: +48 82 568 51 19
- helpline for Polish citizens and holders of the Pole’s Card residing in Ukraine: +48 22 523 88 80
- Support hotlines +48 47 721 75 75
- https://www.gov.pl/web/mswia/informacja-dla-uchodzcow-z-ukrainy
- https://www.gov.pl/web/ua – in Ukrainian
- Municipal information points
Status of people arriving in Polish
In connection with the Special Act passed by the Polish parliament, the situation of Ukrainians arriving in Polish will be as follows:
- Ukrainian citizens who crossed the border with Poland after 24.02.2022 will be entitled to legal stay in the country, counted retroactively (from 24.04.2022) for 18 months, i.e. until 24.08.2023
- Stay will be legal regardless of passport possession
- the stay of children of Ukrainian citizens will be legalized in the same way as the stay of parents or guardians
- Ukrainian citizens must go to the City/Commune Office and submit an application for a PESEL number
- the PESEL number will be assigned to all Ukrainian citizens, even if they do not have a single document confirming their identity. The PESEL number is to be a confirmation of stay in Poland
- if during the granted stay, the Ukrainian citizen travels outside the Republic of Poland for more than a month – his or her stay will be cancelled.
- the stay will be extended by itself until 31.12.2022 for Ukrainian citizens who stayed legally on the territory of Poland before 24.02.2022
Currently, the regulations are simplified as much as possible and adapted to the current situation. However, if you have any doubts, it is worth consulting lawyers or law students who
most of them provide advice to Ukrainians free of charge.
Education and work
Most refugees come with children, so apart from housing, they need education and work. Let us remember that our neighbours do not know either the educational system in Poland or the employment procedure – notes Darya Yagovdik. Therefore, it will be a great help to provide them with the necessary information about both admission to educational institutions and taking up employment. In the first case, it is enough to call a specific school or kindergarten, where we will certainly receive details about the possible admission of children from Ukraine. When it comes to work, many employers from various industries are now ready to hire foreigners “on the spot”, including LeasingTeam Group – says Darya Yagovdik. All you have to do is make an appointment for the first meeting, during which we will determine employment opportunities – any willing person can apply, regardless of the position level.
It is worth helping those in need to arrange a meeting with the director of the facility or the owner of the company. You can also support them in writing a CV in English or Polish – such a small gesture will be an incredible support for people in despair, often lost and helpless. So let’s inform them what to do, blaze a trail and make it easier
in finding oneself in a new country, and it will certainly be perceived as wise, sensible help. As far as formal issues are concerned, the provisions of the adopted special act concerning the labour market are as follows:
- Ukrainian citizens who entered the territory of Poland after 24.02.2022 will be granted access to the labour market.
- the employer will be obliged to report to the Labour Office within 7 days from the date of commencement of work, information on entrusting work to a foreigner
- The work will be able to be performed until 24.08.2023
- the stay of Ukrainian citizens who stayed in Poland legally before 24.02.2022 will be automatically extended until 32.12.2022 – matters related to the legalization of their work will remain unchanged.
- Ukrainian citizens who crossed the UA/PL border after 24.02.2022, after 9 months, i.e. after 24.11.2022, will be able to apply for a residence card for 3 years with full access to the labor market without attachment to a specific employer.
It is worth noting that the special act applies only to Ukrainian citizens and their families (even if they are citizens of another country). The regulations do not apply to foreigners who resided in Ukraine after 24.02.2022, with the exception of persons with the right of permanent residence in Ukraine. If, during the granted stay, the Ukrainian citizen travels outside the Republic of Poland for more than a month – his or her stay will be canceled.
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