UKRAINE CONFLICT
Refugees crossing the Polish border escaping the war in Ukraine
UKRAINE CONFLICT: ON THE POLISH/UKRAINE BORDER
Day 7 of the War
Travelling to the border crossing points at Korczowa and Medyka and the train station at Przemysl was quite simply harrowing. Columns of people walking out of trains or buses looked weirdly like something from WW2. Faces etched with sheer terror, shock, exhaustion greeted myself and Marek Tabaka (my Polish fixer) - Simply extraordinary. Meanwhile, in the middle of the melee, Polish emergency services helped those in need and directed the refugees in what to do and where to go. Many volunteers from all over the world were at the various border points offering hot food and advice and more importantly hope. Many families had left their boyfriends, husbands and even grand dads back in Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion. Some unfortunately had been killed. Many had travelled for days across Ukraine to reach Poland., all saying the same thing that the answer to this crisis is that Putin has to be stopped or 'relinquished of power'. For the lucky few, relatives picked up their Ukrainian family members but for the majority they were ushered onto a continuous flow of buses travelling to Krakow or Warsaw. There is a huge police presence along the borders not only to keep some kind of order but to monitor the influx of the refugees and make sure, along with their colleagues in the fire service, that they are safe and looked after. Unfortunately, there are always some who prey on the venerable and again this was in evidence at the depots where the refugees were gathered. Taxi drivers charging extortionate rates for driving families to Warsaw or child traffickers waiting for an opportunity. One poor boy at Przemyl train station, probably only 7yrs old, was all alone, his face pressed against a wall in the underground walkway between platforms simply screaming, brushing away the official youth workers with distrust with police desperately trying to help and relocate him with his family. More likely his parents had been killed in the Russian assault on his town or city and he had lost his guardian. 1.27 million Ukrainians have now travelled to Poland and as the conflict takes more pace that figure will rise putting more pressure onto the Polish Government and the West to come up with solutions to manage the exodus.
Great to see Chinese TV stations broadcasting what was unfolding in front of their eyes as well at a time when global pressure on the Russian Government to back down is at an all-time high. We were also fortunate to meet a German Red cross convoy en-route to Korczova along the A4 (main route out to Ukraine) .What is hard to comprehend is this conflict is happening on our door step with no real evidence to suggest that it will stop. Worrying for all those in Europe more especially those countries lying on the border with Russia.
Day 8 and 9 of the War
After being forced to flee from their houses at a moment's notice to escape advancing Russian forces many families had to travel for days to reach the safety at the Polish border. The lucky ones were fortunate to be relocated to Jawja Rzemien, a wellbeing centre on the outskirts of Mielec. Used primarily for holding private functions it now catered for Ukrainian refugee families. Women's clothing, toiletries and children's toys seemed to be the most sort out items when we arrived. The children were glad to have a brief moment to forget the tragedy of war and were quick to tear open the boxes and start playing again. The manager Agnus Koziol said it was Christmas all over again. While unloading the clothing bags and boxes outside into a storage area, we were interrupted by an impromptu ballet performance by 15yr old Lisa Venger, a dance student at the Chemelnicky Dance Academy (Ukraine) and European ballet champion, in the dining room. An absolute stunning display and well received by all those that watched
Anya a 11yrs along with her 2 sisters and brother left Rowne with their family but now can’t find their parents. A story that seems to repeat itself but the Polish authorities are trying desperately to find them. As well as young families staying at the centre there were the elderly who were also keen to tell their story of getting out Ukraine. Ludmiella, a Grandmother in her late 60s escaped the bombing in Zaporozhye with only the clothes she was wearing. While travelling by train across Ukraine she had to jump out with all the other passengers and lie in a ditch as the train got caught in the crossfire between the Russian and Ukranian forces.
Dr Vitaly D Chmil 82yrs from the Institute of Ecohygiene and Toxicology, Kiev, and department head explained how he travelled with all his family not knowing what was going to happen. They were completely caught by surprise and feels that Putin is after all the countries rich mineral reserves and agricultural land (some of the best in the world).
Border points on the North East of Poland also saw a steady flow of Ukranians arriving into Poland. The town of Chelm being another point where refugees could gather and be helped by the local Polish authorities. Whilst at the local sports hall, the ‘Miejska Hala Sportowa’, German and Dutch coaches arrived to take Ukranians to their respective countries. There was even an arrival of 6 cats. Carried in 2 bags all the way from the heavily bombed city of Chakof in the east of the country. Good news was received last Friday as Jersey donated items reached the City of Kiev thanks to Ukranian driver, Vitalii Skabara, who braved the long journey to get the items to where they needed.
Besides this there is a massive build-up of American forces in and around Mielec, Poland as it holds some of the largest runways in the world. Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport is defended by ground to air missile batteries and is able to handle the giant Antonov cargo aircraft which can deliver much needed heavy weapons for the Ukranian forces if required to. Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters sit in columns at Lotnisko Airfield where the Us troops are based.
The word on the ground from Aid agencies is that they are desperately needing food and medical supplies. As the waves of refugees flood into Poland and neighbouring countries this crisis will continue and as the war in Ukraine intensifies the humanitarian situation will get worse.
