Poland is preparing for a new wave of Ukrainian refugees

Large-scale destruction of critical infrastructure as a result of Russian shelling leaves millions of people without electricity, water, heating and other basic living conditions. In such circumstances, many Ukrainians consider the possibility of going abroad in search of temporary shelter, especially in the winter period. Poland, which has already taken in millions of Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, is once again declaring its readiness to become a haven for a new wave of migrants. The plans announced by Polish Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Wieslaw Lesniakiewicz during the Sustainability Forum in Warsaw demonstrate a systematic approach to preparing the country for the next challenge.
Poland is preparing to receive Ukrainians
Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland Wieslaw Lesniakiewicz during a speech in Warsaw stated, that the country is actively preparing to receive a new wave of Ukrainian refugees this winter. He admitted that in 2022, Poland was not fully prepared for such a large number of migrants, but then ordinary citizens and local governments played a key role in helping.
“Now we are improving our plans and preparing for a possible influx of refugees. Given the destroyed infrastructure in Ukraine, this wave is quite possible,” — noted Lesnyakevich.
Systematic preparation for winter
Unlike in 2022, the Polish state administration already has places to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. This includes temporary shelters as well as infrastructure to support their basic needs.
At the same time, Poland is preparing for additional challenges related to the possible internal evacuation of the population from risk zones, such as the Suwalsky Isthmus in the northeast of the country. This region, located between Belarus and the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation, is considered potentially dangerous in the event of an escalation of aggression.
One of the biggest tasks for the Polish authorities remains the restoration of the bomb shelter system, which has remained neglected since the communist era. Lesnyakevich noted that today only 3% of the country’s population has access to bomb shelters.
“We must learn to live in difficult conditions and prepare for a possible worsening of the security situation,” — he emphasized.
In addition, Poland is actively borrowing Ukrainian experience in building a system for informing the population about the missile threat.
Lesniakiewicz emphasized that Poland is obliged to support Ukraine, because the security of both countries is closely related. In particular, he mentioned the deployment of international humanitarian hubs on the territory of Poland, which help Ukraine, as well as the constant government support.
“We must be ready for a prolonged confrontation with Russian aggression. This is a task that requires decisive action and systematic preparation from us,” — he added.
Millions of Ukrainians may face a difficult choice this winter: stay at home without basic conditions or seek temporary shelter abroad. Poland has already become a second home for more than a million Ukrainians, and its systematic approach to training can provide them with decent conditions.
However, the new wave of refugees will be a serious challenge both for Poland and for other European countries. Close cooperation with international organizations and readiness for long-term assistance will be key to successfully overcoming these challenges.
Ukrainians who leave in winter do so not for a better life, but out of necessity. Poland, which continues to show solidarity with its neighbors, once again shows an example of European support. But will this be enough to fully provide for those forced to leave their homes? The following months will show how ready Europe and Ukraine are to overcome these challenges.