6 | MARCH 24 • 2022 

column
Poland Equals Solidarity 
S

ome 1.5 million 
refugees — more 
than five times the 
population of Haifa — have 
reached Poland over the last 
two weeks via its 
border with war-
torn Ukraine. 
Ukrainians, 
Israelis, Indians, 
Americans, 
Nigerians and 
nationals of 
more than 160 
other countries have crossed 
the border to Poland and been 
told, “You’re safe now.”
Since the start of the 
Russian invasion on Feb. 
24, approximately 100,000 
people have entered Poland 
daily, escaping bombs, ruined 
houses, wrecked hospitals, 
fear, famine and freezing cold. 
One and a half million human 

tragedies, fleeing the horrors 
of war.
Russia’s military aggression 
against Ukraine has triggered 
a humanitarian crisis unseen 
in Europe since World War 
II. More than 2.5 million 
people had fled Ukraine as of 
March 11. The forecasts say 
the number of refugees could 
quickly reach 5 million, and 
even higher numbers are not 
unlikely. Some will contin-
ue on to other destinations, 
mostly in Europe. More than 
half have remained in Poland 
so far, and in all likelihood 
will stay for a long time.
A quick and adequate 
response to humanitarian 
disaster on this scale requires 
efficient coordination and 
logistics, long-term vision and 
a systemic approach to provid-
ing assistance.

From the very first day of 
this unparalleled crisis, Poland 
has been demonstrating 
great solidarity and provid-
ing immense humanitarian 
assistance to its neighbor. The 
Polish government, which had 
been preparing for various 
scenarios, set up temporary 
reception centers and assigned 
an agency to coordinate the 
delivery of the aid flowing into 
Poland, some from interna-
tional donors, to Ukrainian 
territory. Every day, 100 
trucks full of aid have entered 
Ukraine from Poland. Nearly 
8,000 tons of humanitarian 
assistance have been delivered 
to Ukraine thus far.
The flood of aid had to be 
streamlined through a dedi-
cated hub close to the border 
to reduce the number of par-
ties in contact with already-

strained Ukrainian authorities. 
The aid Israel is sending to 
Ukraine through Poland, too, 
has also been delivered in 
close coordination with offi-
cial Polish entities.
Countless grassroots good-
will initiatives have sprung 
up across Poland. The Poles 
have opened their homes 
to host people they do not 
know. The railway has offered 
refugees free travel. Telecom 
companies have offered them 
free phone calls and inter-
net service. Newspapers and 
internet portals have started 
publishing news and guidance 
in Ukrainian. Dedicated radio 
stations have been launched 
by broadcasters near the 
border to spread up-to-date 
practical advice in Ukrainian. 
Hoteliers, small and large 
entrepreneurs from the tourist 

Agata 
Czaplinska
JNS

PURELY COMMENTARY

continued on page 11

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