Poland

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, LWF quickly established an emergency operation in Poland with the support from the local member church, to aid refugees fleeing from war. LWF Poland's main priorities include providing emergency relief items, multipurpose cash assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, education, and trauma and stress referrals. LWF Poland partnered with UNHCR and other international donors to implement Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) program aimed at the most vulnerable. This assistance enabled refugees from Ukraine to meet their basic needs. LWF established cash enrollment centers in six locations across Poland (Wroclaw, Gdansk, Bielsko-Biala, Ostroda, Zgierz, and Bytom Miechowice). These centers collaborated extensively with local stakeholders, such as parishes, governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations.

Subsequently, LWF launched the second phase of its assistance in Poland. It mainly focuses on Psychosocial support within its 6 Community Center across Poland that continues its operation but with a different scope of activities.  

Over the last year, Poland has made considerable progress in integrating more than 1.56 million Ukrainian refugees into the national system. Others, however, remain vulnerable, including women, children, teenagers, older people, and those with disabilities who require specialized assistance. The program response focuses on protection, education, basic needs, livelihoods, Psychosocial support, economic inclusion, and cross-cutting issues.