The post-emergency project entitled "Reconstruction and strengthening resilience for the adaptation and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Poland," following the 2023 project, seeks to fill the main gaps in assistance provided to Ukrainian refugees.
The main goal of the project is to help refugees gradually adapt and integrate into Polish society. The project foresees two specific outcomes: that Ukrainian refugees (a) settle in regular apartments and (b) engage in part-time or full-time work or self-employment.
Starting from the second quarter (2024), the Camillians have assisted an average of 71 refugees, including children and the elderly, in our reception centers. More than half of the regular beneficiaries contribute financially to the project. Their contribution helps support the programs, thus helping other refugees. In addition, a total of 8,656 refugees, mostly new arrivals living outside our shelters, have received food and non-food assistance and have been referred to essential social services.
In accordance with EU regulations, the Polish government has granted Ukrainian refugees temporary protection status until September 25, 2025. CADIS International and the Camillians in Poland will support the post-emergency response project (Phase 3) focused on the adaptation and integration of Ukrainian refugees in Poland until the end of this year. Below are the programs currently being implemented and the results achieved in the second quarter:
(1) Providing long-term shelter to 75 refugees in Łomianki and Ursus.
As of June 2024, seventy-seven (77) direct beneficiaries (children and adults) are served by the project programs in Ursus (35) and Łomianki (42). The project offers three types of accommodation to Ukrainian refugees: independent, semi-independent, and subsidized.
All our facilities in both locations are equipped with basic services such as electricity, water, heating, internet, waste disposal system, and laundry. They also have a recreation room, television, and dining room. We currently rent 8 training apartments in Ursus. As of June 2024, we will have 24 guests in the apartments: 15 women, 3 men, and 6 children.
Each family has access to health services such as a psychologist, doctor, and specialist, as needed. The program assistant facilitates access to all necessary services.
Almost all beneficiaries have decided to live in Poland permanently. Most of them have jobs. However, the salary they receive is often the lowest in the country and does not match that of locals. This raises concerns about the prospect of living independently in Poland with only one head of household. Refugees in our Łomianki center, as agreed, by 2025 will have to take full responsibility for covering rent and basic necessities.
(2) Facilitating refugees' access to the labor market to obtain part-time or full-time jobs and coworking space for qualified refugees interested in self-employment or alternative livelihood activities.
From the beginning we thought that Harna, the coworking space, would become self-sufficient. However, due to inflation, the costs of maintaining and renting the space and management expenses are increasing. The project management team is looking for a more economical and efficient space and external funding. Ten women use the 8 workstations in the coworking space daily. The regular users of the coworking space, present for several months, have a stable financial income. The biggest challenge the women faced was moving from their business activities, which they conducted under subsidized rental conditions in the coworking space, to the reality of running their business in a self-rented space. To improve and enhance our assistance to refugees, we have employed Polish and Ukrainian staff.
(3) Assistance points
The assistance point at the central train and bus stations has been maintained. A coordinator is in charge of supervising all activities at the information and assistance desks for new arrivals. They are assisted by a good number of volunteers, mostly homeless clients of the Camillian Foundation. Many of them speak Russian, which facilitates communication with refugees. Sometimes they accompany refugees to offices or shops.
The program is very useful in the process of adaptation and integration into Polish society. The main aspects include legal and administrative support. Refugees often encounter difficulties related to legal and administrative procedures.
We help them understand and manage formalities related to residence, employment, education, and healthcare. We support them in finding a job, which is crucial for the integration of refugees. We collaborate with two other non-governmental organizations that assist refugees in finding employment. Refugees, especially those who have fled war, need psychological support. Counseling centers offer psychological and social assistance, which is essential for their well-being and adaptation. In the second quarter of 2024, a total of 8,656 refugees were assisted.
Phase 3 programs have provided assistance to refugees for the following needs: medical, psychological, food and non-food, education, protection, and shelter. At the end of the second quarter of 2024, our project assisted 77 refugees, including children and the elderly. Every month we help an average of 71 refugees in Ursus and Łomianki.
CADIS and the Camillians remain committed to supporting the results achieved in these two years of work and accompaniment of people displaced by the war.
