May 8, 2022
According to the UN, the war in Ukraine has displaced over 7.1 million people inside the country so far. Close to 6 million people from Ukraine have crossed into neighboring countries in the region including Poland, Hungary, Moldova and others. The majority of the refugees have crossed into Poland where NATAN’s teams are deployed. We are deployed 24/7 in Przemysl, Poland at a large refugee reception center very close to the border and also support partner aid organizations on the border itself.
All Hands on Deck – NATAN Clinic at Przemysl Refugee Center working at full capacity. The flow of refugees into and out of the center ebbs and rises. Waves of people arrive in buses from the border and then move on, in many cases after one or two days. Most days the center reaches full capacity in the thousands and then may ‘empty out’ for brief periods, going down to only 500 refugees for just a few hours before filling up again. NATAN is ready for this. Our teams have rotation schedules to enable 24/7 staffing with the flexibility to go from normal to full staffing. Seen here: NATAN medical and psychosocial team work together as the clinic reaches full capacity.
Coming and Going – Refugees in Motion
REFUGEES IN MOTION: The transient nature of the refugees’ situation results in very brief but intensive interactions. Our team members meet these refugees at the most challenging moment in their lives, connect with them, help them, and then watch as they move on. In the best of cases, this happens within a few short days. In some more difficult cases (as with the sisters pictured above and below) the refugees may be ‘stuck’ in limbo for weeks until safe haven is found. Each parting is bittersweet, knowing the refugees are on the road to better lives, yet knowing we will not meet again.
Sisters Leave for Safe Haven: (above photos) NATAN Social Worker, Iris Nusenkis helps two sisters enroute to safe haven in Denmark. Helping these sisters was a collective effort of three NATAN teams. The Social Workers responsible were: Katia Vainer (Team 4) , Natasha Lamdan (Team 5) and Iris Nusenkis (Team 6). This is an example of the continuity made possible by NATAN’s model of teamwork, communications and overlap training. Read more.
A NATAN Social Worker, Jenny Kelner, bids a tearful goodbye to a refugee she helped at the Przemysl center. Coming and Going / Meeting and Parting, is the nature of our work.
A Quiet Corner of the World – At Przemysl Refugee Center, Poland: NATAN Social Worker Polina Kogan speaks with a refugee on his way to a new home. The gentleman is a widower who fled Ukraine alone carrying just a tiny bag of personal belongings. He left his two sons behind: They are fighting with Ukrainian forces. The man told Polina: “I am just looking for a quiet place, a quiet corner of the world, where I can rest and recover. For weeks we heard nothing but sirens and bombardments. If I could find a quiet place in the mountains, maybe I will find some peace.” The man is on his way to a new home in Switzerland, where this wish may come true.
Yom HaAtzmaut: Celebrating Israel Independence Day in Poland
Israel Independence Day at the Border: NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief team members joined over 70 other Israeli and Jewish volunteers from all over the world to celebrate Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. In this humanitarian crisis, the Israeli presence in Poland is impressive, with 10 Israeli NGOs, Hospitals and Movements having deployed teams of volunteers. The Independence Day event was held in a refugee reception tent managed by Israeli NGO SSF – Sauveteurs sans Frontières – Rescuers Without Borders.