Polish local governments received letters from voivodes to indicate within 48 hours the accommodation base in which it would be possible to immediately accept refugees as a result of a presumable conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Maciej Wąsik, deputy minister of internal affairs and administration said that Poland was preparing to shelter up to a million refugees.

Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy assured that Ukrainian refugees can count on adequate financial security, the possibility to learn the Polish language, and psychological support.

Prof. Maciej Duszczyk from the Center for Migration Research, University of Warsaw said that any military action carries a serious risk of the increased migration flow because people are simply fleeing the war. The consequences depend on the scope of the possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Voivodes started contacts with mayors and asked them to indicate the list of accommodation facilities for refugees, the number of people acceptable, the costs and the buildings adaptation time with a recommendation up to 48 hours – wrote Krzysztof Kosiński, Mayor of Ciechanów.

The lists drawn up by mayors include mainly dormitories and hostels as well as some educational institutions, boarding schools, holiday and training centers, entertainment, fair and sports halls.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration assures, that the procedures are prepared “in accordance with the National Crisis Management Plan, in connection with the potential increase in migration flows”.

The Ministry of Interior and Administration informs that it is constantly monitoring the situation in terms of the crisis on the Ukrainian-Russian border. The situation is analyzed on an ongoing basis in close cooperation with the Border Guard Headquarters and other services, the Office for Foreigners and voivodes.

Adrian Andrzejewski