Witnessing the pain of Ukraine refugees wrenched apart — Global Issues

“I have seen many difficult things since this conflict began. I have seen tens of thousands of refugees and about 90% of them are women and children. Their stories are very similar, about being woken up by the sound of bombs and grenades, getting some belongings like a passport, maybe some money, or a plush animal for the kids.

One of them, a little girl named Paulina, had a little fox. She hugged the toy as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

At its peak, about 140,000 people traveled to Poland every day. This number has decreased, but there are still many people seeking protection in Poland.

We are at the border with Ukraine, where we are monitoring the situation, helping the authorities and NGOs working there. We talk to border guards. we’re talking to volunteers with NGOs, with government. And first of all, we listen to the refugees.

They often have to wait days at the border, especially during the first ten days, many of them sitting in unheated cars in freezing temperatures, around minus 5 degrees Celsius.

Many others arrive by bus or train, and then they have to walk several kilometers to the border. I see families coming to the border, and then the father will hug his wife, hold his child, and then go back to Kyiv, or wherever he goes. These are heartbreaking scenes.

‘I miss my dad’

When I talk to refugees, the most common question I hear from mothers is “when can we go home”. And the kids will say “I miss you so much”. That is very hard to hear.

Once the refugees have crossed the border, they go to one of the reception centers at the border crossing points, where they can find some food, a bed and often an internet connection for them to stay in touch. with their loved ones. The centers are usually at schools or sports halls, but at least it’s warm.

From there, they try to find something to stay for a few weeks. Most stayed in Poland, but others went to other countries, such as Germany.

It is important that other countries share the burden, rather than leaving Poland and other countries near Ukraine, such as Romania, Moldova and Slovakia, to cope: this is a European and international crisis. economic. The good news is that we are seeing other European Union countries ready to help.

How to help Ukrainian refugees

I am impressed by the solidarity of volunteers and local organizations that are providing food, transportation and shelter.
However, I would ask individuals to contact an NGO, or even better, with the authorities in their country if they want to do something about it, because help Theirs will be much more coordinated and efficient.

For example, we work with the Red Cross in Poland and Ukraine, as well as other NGOs that are doing a great job. We cannot do our job without them.

The fastest and most effective way to help is to donate money. People can also open doors for refugees. Doing so will be one of the most important experiences of your life.

More than two million Ukrainian refugees in about two weeks. is unprecedented. It’s a huge challenge but the solidarity seen in so many countries is great, so I’m confident we can handle it.

Reminder of the dark times in Europe

When I see these people, I think of my mother. She was nine years old in 1945, when she had to flee the Second World War. She is now 86 years old and sitting in front of the TV sixteen, eighteen hours a day for the past two weeks, absolutely shocked to see her childhood suddenly in full HD and full color here.

She cried all day that day, and she asked me, when did it stop, how did it stop. And I don’t know. I have no answer for that.”