Information for New Arrivals From Ukraine

In addition to information on this HELP page, the Polish government has established an official website, phone line, and e-mail with information and resources for you:

• Websites: ua.gov.pl, PomagamUkrainie
• Phone: +48 47 721 75 75
• Email: [email protected]

Additional information can be found on the Halina Nieć Legal Aid Center‘s website: click here and Association For Legal Intervention‘s website: click here

You can also contact UNHCR directly for any questions at:

• Phone: 800 012 948 (Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm)
• E-mail: [email protected]

Targeted Assistance for Most Vulnerable

UNHCR is continuing to provide multi-purpose cash assistance to particularly vulnerable refugee families and individuals who fled Ukraine and arrived in Poland on or after 24 February 2022.  The program is designed to provide targeted assistance to help refugees meet basic needs. To date, more than 300,000 refugees have been supported.

If you need further advice about the cash assistance program, you can contact the UNHCR counselling line on 800 012 948 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-16:30) or email to [email protected].

Who is eligible for the Program?

Each case is assessed on its merits and the final decision is made by UNHCR based on the outcome of an in person-interview. However, to be considered for assistance, a person needs to meet the following minimum criteria:

1. The applicant arrived in Poland on or after 24 February 2022 and was principally residing in Ukraine before that date; and
2. The applicant has serious protection needs (e.g., older person, sole caregiver, unaccompanied or separated child residing outside of designated facilities, pregnant woman, person with disability, person with serious medical condition, and others); and
3. The applicant is economically vulnerable (e.g., does not have a regular employment; or does not receive Polish unemployment benefits; or does not have a regular source of income; and has not benefitted from any cash program before from any organization in Poland, except of 300 PLN from Polish Government).

Can I apply?

Self-referral or application is not possible for this program. Families and individuals in need will be identified through different channels, including UNHCR protection partners and local authorities. If your family is considered for this programme and referred for interview, you will be contacted directly. Important: Even if you were invited for an interview, there is no guarantee that you will receive assistance. The final decision will be taken at the interview when your eligibility is assessed.

Questions relating to earlier cash assistance programs?

If you were enrolled under the general UNHCR Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance Programme (MPCA) between March and September 2022 and have questions related to this, please contact

• UNHCR Counseling Line, for questions or complaints:  800 012 948 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 – 16:30)
• Bank Hotline, for technical problems with the ATM or BLIK: 61 856 52 66 (Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00)
• UNHCR Center in Warsaw, for walk-ins: Kamionkowska 11 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 16:00

Further information

If you need further information, you may contact UNHCR by phone at 800 012 948 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-16:30) or by e-mail: [email protected]

Please also note that you may find information about the available assistance offered by the Government of Poland in the Association For Legal Intervention’s booklet.

Who can benefit from the provisions of the Special Law for people fleeing Ukraine?

1. Ukraine citizens who crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border (did not come through the territory of other countries, e.g. Romania or Hungary) from February 24, 2022 and declare their intention to stay in Poland

2. and their spouses, even if they do not have Ukrainian citizenship, but crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border from February 24, 2022 and declare their intention to stay in Poland

3. Ukraine citizens holding the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka) who left Ukraine due military operations from February 24, 2022 and entered the territory of the Republic of Poland (also from the territory of other countries) and declare their intention to stay in Poland

4. and their spouses, even if they do not have Ukrainian citizenship, but left Ukraine from February 24, 2022 and entered the territory of the Republic of Poland and declare their intention to stay in Poland

The provisions of the Special Law shall apply accordingly to immediate family members of the Ukrainian citizen referred to in point 3. The Law applies on condition that the above-mentioned categories of persons do not have other residence titles issued by Polish authorities, such as: temporary residence permit, resident permit, permanent residence permit, refugee status, subsidiary protection, permit for tolerated stay.

LEGALISATION OF STAY

The stay of these persons is automatically considered legal for a period of 18 months, starting from February 24, 2022.

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

Persons who submitted applications for international protection (refugee status) may withdraw these applications in order to be able to benefit under the Special Law.

Personal Identification Number (PESEL)

The above-mentioned persons must first obtain a PESEL number. For this purpose, they should prepare biometric photographs and copies of their identity documents and go to the local municipal office (Urząd Miasta). Then they shall submit an application (also available in Ukrainian) along with the photographs, show the originals of identity documents and provide their copies. Their fingerprints will also be taken. Once an applicant provides his/her telephone number and an e-mail address in the application form, it is also possible to automatically create a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany), which facilitates communication with public authorities and makes it possible to handle many official matters via the Internet.

DIIA.PL

This document gives the right to cross the Polish border in the direction of entry from the territory of Ukraine during the entire period of recognition of the legal stay of a citizen of Ukraine in Poland on the basis of the Special Act (that is, within 18 months from February 24, 2022), regardless of whether the foreigner has the right to visa-free days or not.

The Diia.pl document is available in the mObywatel mobile application, which can be downloaded to a mobile phone with Android and iOS systems.

The Diia.pl electronic document allows you to confirm the most important information about a person, such as: first and last name, PESEL number, year and place of birth, citizenship, and a photo of the person.

For additional information, contact Halina Niec Legal Aid Center’s helpline for refugees from Ukraine: +48 725 449 374 or visit the website www.pomocprawna.org.

If you are NOT coming from Ukraine, please see information on accessing international protection in Poland: Accessing International Protection

Anyone leaving Ukraine who needs help can go to a reception center or information point

• You can go to a reception center from the border, or to any information point at railway stations.

On the Government of Poland’s dedicated website (ua.gov.pl), you can find information about:

• • Medical assistance
  • Finding a job
    • Job portal for Ukrainian refugees
  • Education
  • Social benefits
  • Legal help
  • 24/7 assistance
  • And other Information

You can also ask for help or services through the Government of Poland website: https://pomagamukrainie.gov.pl/

Important Health Resources

• How to access health services in Poland?
• Emergency number: 112
• State Emergency Medical Services: 999
• Health-related hotline of WHO for Ukrainians: 800 003 021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-20:00)
• Health-related hotline of the National Health Fund (24/7):  800 190 590
• Health-related emergency hotline of the Ministry of Health: 800 137 200
• Psychological emergency hotline (24/7)
  • For children and teenagers: 800 12 12 12
  • For adults:  800 70 2222
• COVID -19 vaccination point: 989
• Were you receiving psychiatric treatment in Ukraine?

Dedicated services for women

 Centrum Praw Kobiet

Information, general and specialized support for Ukrainian women including women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). Phone operators have received basic GBV training, can facilitate referrals to GBV specialists and arrange face-to-face psychological and legal counseling.

• +48 800 10 77 77 (Ukrainian language), Monday – Friday 10:00-18:00
• +48 600 070 717 (Polish language), 24 hours / 7 days per week

Feminoteka

Hotline for women and adolescents who experience violence including sexual violence. Referrals for psychological, social support, and legal assistance.

• +48 888 88 79 88 (Ukrainian and Russian languages), Monday – Friday 14:00-17:00
• +48 888 883 388 (Polish language), Monday – Friday 11:00-19:00

FEDERA

Sexual and reproductive health hotline for ALL.

• +48 22 635 93 93 (Polish language), Monday – Friday 16:00- 22:00
• +48 573 185 626 (Ukrainian and Polish languages), Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 17:00-21:00 (For Legal Counseling)

Persons with disability and their caregivers

If you are a person with disability or their caregiver, contact Mudita Association (Whatsapp +48 539 866 471, Mon-Fri, 10.00-18.00, [email protected]) for support with:

• information provision (disability certificates, benefits, etc.)
• finding housing, therapy or specialist care
• stay at a reception center (Kraków, Warsaw)
• participation in support groups for caregivers
• assistance in obtaining specialized equipment (e.g. wheelchairs)

To obtain a Polish certificate of disability, visit a doctor who will issue a health certificate on a special, designated form (inform the doctor that you need this document in order to obtain a disability certificate). With such a health certificate (not older than 30 days) and any Ukrainian medical documentation you have, visit Disability Adjudication Team where you will be asked to complete a short application form. After the visit, be sure to check your mailbox, as you will receive an appointment to meet with the commission that will assess your condition.

Information on how to find a missing family member:

• in English
• in Ukrainian
• in Polish

Additional information on family unity and family reunification for persons fleeing Ukraine:

• in Ukrainian
• in Russian
• in English

Any person wishing to relocate to another country must directly consult that country’s Embassy websites or information portals about procedures

• UNHCR does not conduct resettlement out of Poland and cannot help with travel
• UNHCR in Poland does not conduct refugee status procedures to facilitate relocation

Country-specific Information:

• For Information from U.S. Embassy Poland: in English and Ukrainian
• For Information from the Canadian government: in English, Ukrainian, and French
• For information from the European Union (EU): in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
• For information from the UK: in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
• Other information for travel outside of the EU: in English

If you feel you are in danger of human trafficking, call 112, or the La Strada helpline for trafficking: +48 226280120