More than 1.1 million refugees from Ukraine have passed through Warsaw since 24 February 2022. In the early days of the war, up to 40,000 people a day came for help. Today, there are still more than 100,000 Ukrainian citizens in the capital, 17,000 of whom are young people and children.

Over the last 12 months, 359 Ukrainian babies have been born in Warsaw hospitals. Around 7,000 refugees a week are currently arriving in the capital, of which around 95 % are moving on.

In 2022, Warsaw has earmarked PLN 52 million to help refugees from local government funds alone. Information points and residence centres for Ukrainians fleeing the war have been opened in the capital overnight since the Russian invasion. Eight of them are still operating and more than 1,800 people are living there.

In addition to accommodation, all refugees staying there are provided with full board, psychological support, vocational counselling, Polish language classes, and children can also attend classes to support their development and mental health. Thanks to the cooperation with UNICEF, 45 social workers, 25 family assistants and 20 workers have been employed in the city’s social welfare centres to help Ukrainian citizens on a daily basis.

At the most difficult moment of the refugee crisis, Warsaw residents rushed to help. They organised collections of food and clothing, but also made their homes and flats available to Ukrainians in need. Many residents also got involved in volunteering – more than 12,000 people in total.

Due to the influx of Ukrainians, Warsaw was supported by aid organisations such as the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Polish Centre for International Aid, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Aid, the World Central Kitchen and the UNHCR.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński