By Julie Uszpolewicz, Student at New College of the Humanities and Political Editor
Two months into the War in Ukraine, the Polish border looks like an international fest with NGOs from all across the globe setting up stands to deliver humanitarian aid. Russian and English are heard on the streets of Warsaw like they never were before, Ukrainian folk songs loudly play in community centres. The February Russian invasion has undeniably changed Europe in various ways, but its effects are felt ever so strongly in the neighbouring countries.
Poland has found itself in the midst of a humanitarian and refugee crisis following the first war in Europe this century. The country, which was criticised for its immigration policies, offences on minority rights, and unwillingness to accept European standards, suddenly started receiving praise for the overarching support given to those fleeing from the neighbouring war. Many see this as a surprising break from the previously unwelcoming and often discriminatory behaviour of the Polish government, especially with last year’s Belarusian border crisis still in mind. So, what is the story behind the unexpected rush to help their war-ridden neighbour?
Only days after the Russians entered Ukraine, hundreds of people rushed to the border to offer transportation, medical support, and humanitarian aid. Beautiful as it sounds, the Polish crisis response structures failed in the light of such an influx of refugees, very quickly descending into chaos. At the border, the only institutions able to maintain some organisation were the Polish Scouts and the fire brigades. Because there were no legal systems in place to navigate the emergency help, the NGOs and charities could not successfully deliver resources in the early stages of the conflict. There was no way of doing the due diligence on those who arrived to help or to offer transport. There was no central control over the border cities. There is only so much grassroots mobilisation could achieve without any suitable governance.
As the Polish people did whatever was necessary to aid their neighbours, the Polish government stood still. The local administrations of the districts nearest the border were uncooperative without any orders from the capital. The official warehouses dedicated to emergency help were unavailable to the charities delivering essentials. Perhaps the only top-down initiative was the introduction of the special national security numbers, which allowed the refugees to apply for jobs, rent out accommodation and open banks accounts. All things considered, the real heroes of the Polish humanitarian action were the ordinary citizens and not the political leaders.
There are limits on what can be achieved through grassroots action. Humanitarian aid has only immediate effects. Yet, the biggest refugee crisis since WW2 seems to be nowhere near the end. Every missile fired means a new train from Kyiv or Odessa. For many, Poland is only the first stop on their journey to Berlin, Madrid or the UK. But many others arrive with no idea of what to do next.
Sadly, the humanitarian response of Poland to the war in Ukraine is yet another failure of the Polish government. Were it not for citizen initiative and social media raising awareness, it is unlikely much would have been done at all. The Polish government failed to implement any successful long-term aid plan, leaving refugees to their fate. On the one hand, the story of people mobilising in the face of crisis can warm your heart. But on the other, the inaction of the government will break it.
