Poland

Why we are there

Refugees in Poland are primarily Ukrainian women and children as well as elderly and other vulnerable groups.

They face a range of issues, from having needs related to mental health and psychosocial support, child protection, exploitation, legal aid related to understanding rights and obligations, land tenure, lost documents, curbing tensions with host communities, and premature returns to name but just a few. 

Tenure security and risk of homelessness along with social cohesion are concerns, especially if displacement becomes protracted. 

The massive exodus out of Ukraine has caused a series of legal needs that will likely increase with time, evolving around civil documentation – such as birth and death certificates, ID cards, pensions, child custody etc. - as well as Housing, Land and Property, and Education rights, which will influence return prospects. 

What we do

As part of its response to the displacement and humanitarian needs in the region caused by the war in Ukraine, DRC supports displaced populations and the communities hosting them in Poland. This is done through partnership with national civil society and non-governmental organisations, duty bearers and other actors involved in the response.  

DRC has forged partnerships with 15 local organisations and three municipalities for the implementation of emergency cash assistance, and to improve access to information, legal aid, and temporary shelter.

DRC supports partners in providing protection services to conflict-affected persons - this includes in particular legal aid and counselling, mental health and psychosocial support for adults and children, provision of critical information, running of child-friendly spaces, and referrals to relevant actors and institutions.

DRC is also working to enhance protection monitoring focusing on identifying and documenting risks affecting people seeking protection in Poland irrespective of the border they crossed.

To create awareness of the widespread contamination of land by unexploded ordnance, DRC offers Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions, one of the components in its Humanitarian, Disarmament & Peacebuilding sector.