Summary of Oleksandr Plodysty’s Lecture: “Consular Assistance to Refugees from Ukraine after February 24, 2022″
This lecture, supported by the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet program, detailed the extensive support provided by Poland to Ukrainian refugees following the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.Consul of Ukraine in Gdansk, oleksandr Plodysty, highlighted two key areas of assistance: support for Ukrainians in Poland and support for Ukrainians within Ukraine.
Key takeaways from the lecture:
* Rapid Polish Response: Poland quickly enacted three laws granting Ukrainians access to the labor market, medical services, and compensatory services (housing, childcare, etc.).
* Unprecedented Support: The level of support from the Polish goverment,society,and businesses was described as unprecedented,forming the basis for strong Ukrainian-Polish cooperation.
* Gdansk as a Humanitarian Hub: Gdansk specifically became a major hub, receiving 60,000 Ukrainian refugees (with a city population of 450,000) and providing:
* Free housing
* Shelter for orphans (around 1,000 children)
* Free transportation from Przemysl with support personnel (psychologists, social workers)
* Humanitarian aid (food, legal advice, etc.)
* Aid to Ukraine: Poland also provided significant humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including medical supplies, fire trucks, and equipment for energy system restoration.
* Consulate’s Role: The Ukrainian Consulate in Gdansk proactively sought innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by refugees, establishing an aid point.
* International Collaboration: UNICEF and USAID also contributed significantly to humanitarian efforts.
* Integration Projects: Numerous projects were implemented to aid integration, including leisure activities for children, legal support, educational assistance, and initiatives supporting prisoners of war. Symbolic gestures like the “Free Ukraine Square” in Gdynia demonstrated solidarity.
* Current Challenges: While assistance continues, public sentiment in Poland is shifting due to war fatigue and resource depletion.The focus is now on helping refugees achieve self-sufficiency.
* Optimistic Outlook: Plodysty remains confident in the future of Ukrainian-Polish relations, believing continued cooperation is in the best interests of both nations.
Event Details:
* Attendance: Over 70 students and teachers participated.
* Location: Student space “L.I.S.” (Learning Inspiring Space), supported by Jacob Dalhoff and Service Ukraine LLC.
* Organizers: EU_LEAD project team, with gratitude expressed to participants and the Mentoring Center.
