The post-emergency project "Rebuilding and strengthening resilience for the adaptation and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Poland" aims to address the significant gaps in assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees.
The project was designed to help Ukrainian refugees gradually adapt and integrate into Polish society. The expected results (objectives) are threefold: that Ukrainian refugees are (a) settled in regular apartments (SHELTER), (b) engaged in part-time or full-time work or self-employment (STAY), and (c) that children receive kindergarten and elementary education (PROTECTION). The main beneficiaries of this project are the refugees who have been under the care of the Camillians in Ursus and Lomianki since May 2022. Secondary beneficiaries are the "walk-ins" who entered Poland since last year and are seeking help to find housing, work, and schools for their children. 95% of them have decided to rebuild and restart their lives in Poland together with their entire family in the near future.
By the fourth quarter (2023), the objective had reached a 100% achievement rate. This was achieved by providing stable housing and employment (part-time or full-time). As of December 2023, a total of 82 refugees, including children and the elderly, directly benefit from all the services provided by the project in Ursus and Łomianki. 39 refugees have found work and almost half (41%) are self-employed, making use of their skills and talents. On the other hand, 33 children study in public and private schools. Over 11,000 indirect beneficiaries who arrived in the last quarter of 2023 received food and non-food assistance. The services provided have facilitated the adaptation and integration of refugees into Polish society. A total of 11,007 secondary beneficiaries were assisted during the 4th quarter.
Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) is the main party responsible for the expected results of this project, in close coordination and collaboration with the Camillian Province of Poland. In particular, CADIS periodically evaluates and monitors the project's activities against the expected results and impact. It submits (narrative and financial) reports to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. On the other hand, the Polish Camillian Province organizes and implements the project's indicative activities, ensures the achievement of objectives, and reports regularly to CADIS.
SHELTER: provide long-term temporary shelter for one year to 100 refugees (women, children or families) in Łomianki and Ursus.
As of December 2023, 82 refugees have received shelter in Ursus (38: 17 children + 21 adults) and in Łomianki (44: 21 children + 23 adults). In Ursus, those temporarily hosted in the shelter home are still looking for work or in transit to other EU or non-EU countries. Ursus also offers training apartments or supervised apartments. In the eight apartments rented by the Camillians, 24 Ukrainian refugees reside. When new families move in, as stipulated by the agreement, they do not have to contribute to expenses for the first 3 months. Fifty-five percent (55%) of them initially enjoy a medium level of autonomy. Our goal is to make them fully autonomous and independent.
Our main beneficiaries have achieved a greater sense of security. They are able to communicate better thanks to the organized Polish language courses. They have better opportunities to find work thanks to increased self-esteem and communication skills in moving around Warsaw. The assimilation of refugees in a new country involves a complex process of adaptation to the host society and their lives undergo several changes. Poland's policy and the aid offered are gradually changing. The support received has decreased and new regulations have come into force. People with legal jobs feel better because they support themselves, pay taxes, and do not live only on subsidies.
The program coordinator is responsible for implementing all the programs planned in Ursus. He organizes meetings with other project participants and tries to respond to their problems.
Łomianki offers refugees a semi-private dormitory service. The organization of life is quite different from Ursus. Here, Ukrainian residents live together in a single facility with an individual or family room. In our semi-private dormitory in Łomianki, 44 refugees reside. All 44 residents contribute 30% of the overall management costs. 70% of the expenses (food, non-food, utilities, and staff) are subsidized by the project. The beneficiaries have somewhat adapted to the culture and life of Polish society. They are becoming familiar with Polish reality. Psychosocial and medical assistance, especially health and legal care, is provided according to their needs.
The project coordinator implements the programs and makes key decisions for the operation of the facility and the well-being of the residents. The administrative staff takes care of the daily operation of the facility, such as purchases, schedules for kitchen staff and residents on duty, and general maintenance. In addition, it provides psychosocial support and counseling to residents.
STAY: facilitating refugees' access to the labor market to obtain part-time or full-time jobs and the co-working space for qualified refugees interested in self-employment or alternative livelihood activities.
a. Skills development and job placement program
As of the 4th quarter of 2023, 17 adults from Ursus have obtained a job, particularly those who have settled in private apartments, while two are still looking for work. Due to the lack of Polish language skills, some refugees have found jobs that do not match their professional qualifications, such as accountants and lawyers. Intensive language lessons have been provided to resident refugees (children and adults) twice a week for eight (8) hours for each group of students according to their age group. Thanks to European funds obtained by the Camillian Foundation, 26 Ukrainian refugees have completed the certificate of technical courses to improve their skills.
Among the main challenges for the employment of resident refugees are: local language proficiency, unemployment, the lack of legal recognition of their certificates, diplomas or professional degrees, childcare and paternal support to allow them to accept shift work, and employers' reluctance to hire or train them for a job due to their unstable status.
We have observed a transition in the traditional role and authority of women and mothers from domestic helpers to domestic leaders or heads of household. The current family situation influences the change in role in the absence of the paternal figure. Women want to develop and strengthen their leadership in the family.
b. Co-working space
The co-working space in Ursus is called Harna. It is a program that offers refugees opportunities for autonomy and self-determination. It leverages their skills and professional talents to find alternative sources of income. Currently, 16 Ukrainian refugee women work at Harna with regular shifts. The space is equipped with 8 workstations for hairdressers and beauticians. All materials needed by users are mainly chosen by them and procured by the management. The staff dedicates much of their time to training and teaching women self-sufficiency, using social media. The main challenge they have faced has been the language.
Each user signs a contract and a memorandum of understanding. The program manager represents the team and the users before the government, in order to comply with current regulations. At first, the use of the co-working space was free. Since December, users have been charged a maintenance fee to maintain and ensure cleanliness and hygiene. After gaining experience for almost a year, some users want to start their own business.
c. First aid for refugees newly arrived at train and bus stations
As of December 2023, 956,635 refugees were registered in Poland. Almost 100% had Temporary Protection (TP) status (see UNHCR, 2023). This status includes the right to temporary residence and access to socio-economic rights (see European Commission, 2023). However, they will enjoy this temporary protection until March 2024 (Poland Data Portal 10/10/2023a). Therefore, this condition could nullify the initial gains that facilitate the integration and autonomy of refugees in Poland, if not supported.
Currently, the Camillians manage a single information point at the Warsaw West station, which offers primary assistance to refugees arriving or departing. This service was made possible thanks to collaboration with the Warsaw city administration. In the last quarter of 2023, we assisted over 11,000 refugees. On average, 100 refugees a day go to the west station, while 40-50 refugees come to our Ursus facility twice a month to ask for food, non-food products (hygiene kits, clothing) and work assistance.
PROTECTION: 50 refugee children received kindergarten (2-6 years) and elementary (7 years and over) education in Łomianki and Ursus.
Access to education facilitates Ukrainian-Polish integration of children and parents through educational activities. In Ursus and Łomianki, all students study. We have 38 students (11 in kindergarten, 19 in primary school, 5 in high school, 3 in university) studying in Poland.
Conclusion
The implementation of the programs planned by the project was carried out 100%. This was achieved by providing stable accommodation and a job (part-time or full-time). Starting from the 4th quarter, 82 refugees, including children and the elderly, are regularly assisted by this project.
Thirty-three (33) refugees have found work and half (50%) are self-employed, making use of their skills and talents. Twenty-six (26) refugees received vocational training provided by the project in collaboration with the EU-funded project. At the end of the project, the main gaps that remained a challenge were the Polish language proficiency (reading and writing) and the legal recognition of their professional and academic achievements.
After 18 months of reception in Poland, many people on the move remain in precarious situations. Many people still rely on unsustainable accommodation, need humanitarian assistance to survive, struggle to find ways to improve their long-term situation, suffer the impact of stress and trauma among children and adolescents, tensions within the Ukrainian community itself, and issues related to protection status, labor market exploitation, and discrimination (see IRC, 2023). A great challenge awaits Ukrainian refugees in Poland in 2024. CADIS and the Camillians remain committed to carrying out another phase of the project, considering the results achieved in this current project.
