This is Oksana and Ala. Two sisters, who together with their children, escaped from the war zone by hitchhiking, and walked the last long kilometers to the border crossing with Poland.
Both being frightened, carrying children and one suitcase had no clue what to do when crossing the border on the second day after the invasion. There was no infrastructure ready on the Polish side yet. The sisters do not speak Polish well, they understand a little, and they were offered a ride by bus from the border by the Ukrainian, whom they did not know personally. He took them to Świdnik to his place of residence, however, he allowed them to stay for one night only, as he was waiting for his own family to arrive from Ukraine. The women did not know what to do, they did not know the place of staying. Although, they did not have any Polish nor Ukrainian money, they were sent by their compatriot to a hostel where a day costs PLN 65. They were seeking help being completely desperate.
At the same time, their close friend Zhanna lives here in Cork. Together with Oksana and Ala, they grew up in Ukraine.
Zhanna has been familiar with the Together-Razem Centre for many years. Always smiling, she speaks great Polish.
She contacted Agata from Together-Razem in despair and in dire need of help for her closest friends. The phone call was accompanied by crying and helplessness. You are wondering now, how you can help Ukrainians being in Ireland.
Help across borders
Things moved quickly. All thanks to contacts, good people, and knowledge of the Polish environment. Phone calls, social media, and warm hearted people in Poland.
It helped.
Today, Oksana and Ala together with their children are safe.
In the photo, they found a safe roof over their heads in a Christian centre in Lublin thanks to Mateusz. They still face the formalities related to the refugee status, but more importantly, they feel calmer and are in good hands from now on. Zhanna is finally calm.
Oksana said, “I cannot express in words how grateful we are, thank you with all our hearts, we are not starving, and we don’t have to be afraid of tomorrow anymore. Thank you. “
Thousands are fleeing
There are thousands of such families fleeing Ukraine who crossed the border with Poland. The official data of the Polish Border Guard say about 300,000 refugees. It is very difficult for the escapees to cross the border. On the border between Ukraine and Poland, Medyka-Szeginie, a line of cars 60 km long, and thousands of people are waiting at the border crossing. State agencies, non-governmental organizations, and ordinary people help at the border. The Polish government has stated that around of million people are expected to cross the border as refugees.
What Together-Razem does
Together-Razem since 2006 has been dealing in Ireland with migrants mainly from Poland, but also from Eastern and Central Europe staying here in Ireland. Together-Razem has contacts in Poland, in the government institutions, and non-governmental organizations and offers its support to the Ukrainian community in Ireland.
The offer includes:
1. Providing reliable, up-to-date information on the regulations for refugees after crossing the border – it is important for those Ukrainian families living in Ireland who can pass this information on to their families – relatives fleeing Ukraine.
2. Connecting refugees with non-governmental organizations offering shelter and the necessary help on the spot – many crossing people who don’t speak the Polish language and are confused after crossing the border, can contact their loved ones here in Ireland.
3. Enabling the Ukrainian community in Cork to arrange a meeting at the Together-Razem headquarters – tea, conversation, information in a safe place together with a Ukrainian-speaking volunteer.
Today Oksana and Ala are safe.
Zhanna will be happy to help her compatriots here on the spot.
And today, Together-Razem runs an online fundraiser at links.
https://www.paypal.com/ie/fundraiser/charity/4086735 .
and here:
https://donorbox.org/plea-for-support-to-purchase-medical-supplies-for-the-ukrainian-people .
At the moment, Ukraine needs huge amounts of money, however, the Ukrainians themselves indicate that the most necessary are medical supplies, basic first aid kits with bandages, and painkillers (over the counter).
The necessary supplies will be purchased from the collected funds and transferred by Poland to Ukraine.