The latest figures from the Border Guard show that 3.26 million people have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border since February 24 this year, i.e. since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of war in the country, to 9 May this year. Poland has been the main direction of the war exodus since the beginning, and the vast majority of refugees – due to cultural and geographical proximity – intend to stay in Poland.
"About 30 percent of all refugees initially declare their intention to stay in Poland for the next three years. Some simply have nowhere to go back to," Artem Zozulia, chairman of the board of the Ukraine Foundation, said.
As he stressed, NGOs are not able to continue to bear the organizational and financial burden of helping Ukrainian refugees on their own. They need support and long-term action plans to help them integrate in Poland, start gainful employment or find psychological help. Input from business will prove invaluable.
(Newseria)