The following update comes from Melissa at WalkWithMe.Global.
When I left for the front lines of western Ukraine a week ago, it was anticipated that nearly 500,000 refugees would arrive here in Poland. That number has actually reached a staggering million+ and is growing by the minute; 50% are young children.
The response here in Poland by both Polish and Ukrainian communities has been heart-warming. Ordinary people have open wide their doors, their homes, their churches, their commercial buildings without question to the overwhelming tide of families who need help. They have showed up at the border with food and emergency supplies.
Non-profits and organizations are responding by sending loads of supplies into Ukraine. We watch as truck after truck line up to reenter; driven by brave volunteers wearing flak jackets for body armor. Normal people. Heroes on the front lines.
We have partnered with three separate groups here on the ground to provide aid; two non-profits and a network of 280 churches who’ve converted their sanctuaries into places of refuge, housing hundreds of families. Poor churches, who once heated their buildings once a week for services, are now provide heating and food 24/7.
Nonprofits, police and aid workers are exhausted – many working around the clock with little sleep to meet needs of families who are waiting in the cold. It’s snowed almost every day since I arrived. The weather in bitter cold, with wind chills hovering in the low 20s.
Many of you have asked how to help. Thank you. For now, we are not bringing teams – just nowhere left to stay. Hotels and hostels are full of refugee families. We are empowering local communities to respond. You can help with this first wave of relief by donating.
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