Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine has forced over 6 million people to flee the country鈥攖he fastest exodus of refugees this century. Most are women and children, who are always at higher risk of exploitation and abuse. 

Of those who fled, over 3 million have gone to neighboring Poland. The 探花精选 (探花精选) is on the ground in the country, working with partners to provide critical information services, legal counseling and psychological support, as well as essential items such as medical supplies, sleeping bags and blankets. We are also responding with partners inside Ukraine.

Learn more about the conditions refugees in Poland are facing, and go inside our response.

A train platform at night with a large group of people, including many children, waiting. They are wearing winter clothes and many have backpacks.
Ukrainian refugees gather at Przemysl railway station in eastern Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

Who is fleeing Ukraine? 

The majority of the more than 6 million people who have fled Ukraine are women and children, as men aged 18 to 60 are unable to leave while the country is under martial law. Many families have been separated. 

鈥淚t was a hard decision to come here because my dad can鈥檛 be with us鈥攎en are not allowed to go abroad,鈥 said Anastasia*, a 24-year-old who fled to Poland with her mother and younger brother. 鈥淏ut we decided to leave because no one knows what will happen today or tomorrow.鈥

A young woman wearing a winter hat and jacket stands in a field and looks directly in the camera.
Anastasia, a Ukrainian refugee, at Medyka border crossing point in Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

Not everyone fleeing Ukraine is Ukrainian. Students from African countries, Afghan refugees and Belarusian asylum seekers are among the people from countries around the world who have had to flee Ukraine. 

When the European Union announced temporary protection to people from Ukraine that enables them to live and work in the EU, the 探花精选 called on the bloc to welcome all people who need to flee the country. This includes asylum seekers and other people with short-term residence status in Ukraine who may be unable to return home. 

Seeking asylum is a human right, and it is our moral imperative to give refuge to those fleeing for their lives no matter their race, religion, color or creed. 

Where are refugees from Ukraine going? 

Refugees fleeing Ukraine are primarily going to neighboring Poland, Moldova and other European states.

A older woman sits on a chair with a blanket and looks at the camera. There are supplies and other refugees in the background.
An elderly woman who arrived in Przemysl railway station, Poland, after fleeing Ukraine
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

How many Ukrainian refugees are in Poland? 

There are over 3 million refugees in Poland right now, although that number is changing every day that the violence continues.

What do Ukrainian refugees face in Poland? 

鈥淧eople are arriving across the border exhausted, hungry and cold,鈥 said 探花精选 Ukraine emergency response team lead Heather Macey.

People are arriving across the border exhausted, hungry and cold.

As the conflict goes on, people are arriving with fewer resources. The government of Poland is establishing a number of reception centers throughout the country to receive and assist refugees arriving from Ukraine. Refugees may stay in these centers for a couple of nights before finding shelter elsewhere in the country. 

Freezing temperatures in the region are making the journey difficult. The 探花精选 is working with partners to provide blankets and sleeping bags to those who need them as they arrive. We have also provided medical equipment for partners operating along the border with Poland.

Two refugee men walk down the street with blankets over the shoulders.
People who fled Ukraine stay for a short time at the Przemysl railway station before continuing their journey into Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

Many of those arriving over the border into Poland did not have time to gather identity documentation like passports and birth certificates when they fled. This puts them at risk of exploitation, crime and trafficking. 

Women and girls in particular are at risk of sexual violence, gender-based violence, and trafficking. Refugees also do not have regular access to emergency medical services or health care, putting pregnant women and others with medical conditions at risk. 

Women and children in winter clothes stand in a tent and look at the camera.
Ukrainian refugees gather at Medyka border crossing point, Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

The 探花精选 is supporting a dedicated hotline that offers legal assistance and support to women forced to flee. We are calling for international donors and leaders to prioritize the support and protection services of women and girls. This means listening to Ukrainian women and girls themselves, as well as women鈥檚 rights organizations, in all response planning. 

What is next for Ukrainian refugees? 

Refugees from Ukraine must now support themselves and potentially rebuild their lives in an unfamiliar country. The 探花精选 recently conducted an assessment to learn what refugees most need. 

鈥淯krainian survey respondents鈥 most commonly-listed need was by far, 鈥榓 job鈥,鈥 said 探花精选 Poland team lead Heather Macey. 鈥淲hether they are eager to stay in Poland or want to return to Ukraine as soon as possible, Ukrainian refugees want to give back to their Polish hosts.鈥

Most respondents to the 探花精选 were the elderly or women who were the sole caregivers of their children. Governments must ensure that refugees are able to legally work and support their families as soon as possible. 

Refugees will also need translation support so they can access services, reception classes so that children can attend school, language classes and access to all necessary documents they鈥檒l need to move forward with their lives. Single mothers will also need access to benefits and to childcare for those who would like to work.

What are governments doing to support refugees from Ukraine?

In the European Union, Ukrainian refugees have been granted 鈥渢emporary protection鈥 status. This means that people fleeing the conflict have temporary protection in Europe for up to three years, without having to apply for asylum, and with a broad set of rights including access to work, housing, social assistance and education across the EU. 

The 探花精选 is the United Kingdom to ramp up its efforts to welcome refugees from Ukraine, including non-Ukrainian nationals.

In the United States, the Biden Administration announced that the country will use all legal pathways possible to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians and others fleeing the conflict. The 探花精选 applauds this move. Given the record numbers of refugees around the globe, we also  to set robust refugee resettlement goals and ensure the system is nimble enough to rapidly respond to emerging crises.

A boy in winter clothes stands in a tent and holds a small dog.
A Ukrainian refugee with his dog stops to rest at the Medyka border crossing point in Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

What about refugees from other countries? 

Before the crisis in Ukraine, there were already more than 82 million refugees and displaced people around the world鈥攁 number that has doubled in the past decade. 

There has been a global outpouring of support for people fleeing Ukraine. However, the world must not forget the other crises that together have displaced more people than at any time since World War ll. The 探花精选 is calling for equal empathy to be shown for refugees and displaced people around the world, including those fleeing crises in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen and Syria. The world must continue to provide lifesaving funding for these crises, and advocate for the end to conflicts that contribute to them.

How can I help Ukrainian refugees? 

The best way to help right now is to . The 探花精选 is on the ground in Poland, and working with local partners in both Poland and Ukraine. Working with partners allows us to bolster the crisis response of people who have already been active in the community and are experts on the local context.

Two women in winter clothes hug.
A mother and her daughter meet at the Medyka border crossing point, Poland.
Photo: Francesco Pistilli/探花精选

In the initial phase of our response, the 探花精选 is working through partners to provide critical translation services, cultural assistance and psychological support to people who have arrived in Poland from Ukraine. We have also supported a dedicated hotline for legal assistance and support for women, and procured medical equipment for reception centers on the Ukrainian/Polish border.

In Ukraine, we are working with partners to support evacuation efforts for women and children, and to provide critical information services about registration for displaced people, housing, employment, refugee rights and psychosocial care. We are also providing essential support including access to groceries, blankets, warm clothes and stoves.

*Last name omitted for privacy