Poland supported Ukraine in establishing its independence. Since the beginning of the armed conflict Polish volunteers began to help refugees and children’s homes. What kind of humanitarian aid does Poland provide to Ukraine?
Kyiv, September 1, 2016. One of the Polish activists who actively support Ukraine is Jarko (Jarek). He is a member of the non-formalized group “Generation” (Pokolinnia), a member of the “Ukrainian club in Krakow” and a member of the 3rd hundred of Maidan self-defence.
It all started out of supporting Euromaidan
“I began to support Ukraine by organizing Maidan in Krakow. On October 23, 2014, we began to organize the first “maidans” in Krakow. In winter 2014 it became necessary to take in humanitarian aid for people in Maidan. Other Polish cities such as Wroclaw, Katowice and then half of the cities in Poland joined us,” informed Jarek Podvorsky via Skype at Ukraine Crisis Media Center under the “Spokesman of peaceful life” project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.
People brought clothes, medicines, sleeping bags, etc., and volunteers carried about 2-3 tons of cargo per each car to Ukraine.
Aid for children in the East
In August 2014 Jarko first went to the ATO zone and visited settlements for refugees from Luhansk and Donetsk there. Jarko decided to also collect aid for children. Such aid includes food, clothing, toys for children, school supplies and medicines.
Cooperation with authorities
The volunteer emphasized that he does not deal with the local authorities of the cities in eastern Ukraine. He cooperates only with local NGOs, providing targeted aid.
He helps such organizations as “Oberig” in Starobilsk, “Doctor Dontsova’s” children’s home for kids aged from 2 months to 4 years in Severodonetsk, children’s homes in Mariupol. Besides, he supports refugees in Kramatorsk. “We will help for as long as humanitarian aid is needed,” Jarek Podvorsky shared his plans for the future.