President Zelensky warned “this conflict has entered an entirely new stage of terror.”
This could mean that even more people are fleeing war. According to the United Nations, nearly 2.7 million Ukrainians fled their country after Russia invaded. Nearly 1.7 million have entered Poland.
Norah O’Donnell, managing editor of CBS Evening News, reported Monday from Medkya in Poland at the Ukraine border. She said that the refugees are scared and tired. After traveling by train and bus, she spoke with a mother who just got off the bus carrying her baby. She hadn’t slept for two days. O’Donnell stated that people almost look blank because they have been through so much.
Yesterday, she also met a family with five children and their two dogs who were staying at a shelter in Warsaw. They hope to travel to Canada or the United States but are still waiting for their little girl to recover from a stomach virus.
O’Donnell stated that it seemed like the most terrible and dire situation for so many people as they tried to find a way out. “But it has been incredible to see how many Polish people aren’t just opening up their homes, but their hearts as well.
One case involves a 75-year old Polish woman named Barbara who is giving up her bedroom to allow a Ukrainian mother and her three children to stay together. She’s currently sleeping on a small couch in the living room.
Warsaw has received more than 300,000. This means that the city’s population is up almost 20% in two weeks.
Rafal Trzaskowski (the mayor) told O’Donnell on Sunday that they couldn’t handle the expected millions of additional Polish citizens.
O’Donnell asked: “What is the most worrying thing you hear when you talk with refugees?”
Trzaskowski responded, “Some of these stories are just overwhelming, and incredible, especially regarding kids being killed, or you know, other children watching it.”
“We do everything possible to make them feel safe. We are certain that the Ukrainians are fighting for our security as well, not just in Poland but all over the world.
He said that the West must wake up and send a strong message that they are welcomed, not only in Poland, Romania, and Slovakia but all over.
Trzaskowski stated that people were forced to come up with solutions to the refugee crisis. It was the incredible willingness of the people in accepting Ukrainians into their homes. It was the result of non-governmental organizations, local governments, and of course the central government. There is no system that can accommodate millions more refugees, but you also know this. According to experts, we can expect between five and seven million.
“So, we need some United Nations agencies and organizations to help us set up a system that will work when we see millions more. Also, we need to redistribute refugees around Europe. Without that, you will see the system crash.
“Different U.N. agencies work, like LEGO bricks. They can build those reception centers with water, with solutions and psychologists. This is what we will probably need very soon.
Trzaskowski stated that the Polish government granted refugee access to social and health services, as well as education. “We have already opened schools. Two thousand students hail from Ukraine. It does put a strain on the public services.
Trzaskowski was asked about the impact of the influx of refugees, about a third having been vaccinated against COVID and many with a Chinese vaccination not registered in E.U , on Poland’s infrastructure for health. He replied that he had told the government officials two week ago that something needed to be done. They should set up a special reception centre just for people with COVID because it will spread.
“We don’t worry about COVID too much, but COVID still exists. You also know that our health system is under tremendous strain after COVID, because many people have not been treated for over two years. Now, with 20 percent more people living in Poland, it will put additional strain on our health system. We need to distribute some of these people around the globe, or else the system will crash.”