Volunteers help refugees arriving to main railway station – Wroclaw Poland 03 Mar 2022 (Shutterstock/Maksym Szyda)

By Jack Evans 

Since Feb. 24, 2022, Poland has seen over 10 million Ukrainians cross through its territorial bounds. Of these, 1.4 million refugees have decided to remain in Poland.

These refugees have been supported by many volunteer organizations. The response has been described by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as “…a whole-of-society effort, from citizens to the highest level of the Polish government,” with many volunteer organizations providing support.

Polish president Andrzej Duda commended the efforts of Polish citizens, drawing parallels with the anti-communist “Solidarity” political movement. However, his speech also highlighted the grim circumstances faced by Ukrainians who have been unable to escape the war, with an emphasis on rape and murder. 

As the war continues, Poland is expected to welcome more Ukrainians due to shared cultural similarities, which may facilitate a smoother transition for displaced Ukrainians.