Poland shuts down largest facility for Ukrainian refugees

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Sep 2023 20:43

Several hundred Ukrainians who were still staying at the facility learned on Friday that it would be shut down within a few hours.

Refugees from the war in Ukraine seek shelter at a sports center in Warsaw, Poland, on March 11, 2022. (AP)

The largest refugee center for Ukrainians in Poland, located in Nadarzyn near Warsaw, has been shut down as the number of refugees arriving in the country has decreased, Polish broadcaster RMF FM reported on Saturday.

According to the broadcaster, several hundred Ukrainians who were still staying at the facility learned on Friday that it would be shut down within a few hours.

In the spring of 2022, shortly after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Nadarzyn facility reportedly housed about 9,000 refugees.

Most of the refugees have been transferred to other facilities, while some have found their own housing, according to the broadcaster.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are currently an estimated 968,390 Ukrainian refugees living in Poland.

As of March, Polish authorities have decided that refugees who stay in Poland for more than 180 days will be required to cover 75% of the cost of their housing.

Since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, more than 8 million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine since February 2022.

Ukrainians are guaranteed protection by the EU until March 2024, but that interim protection may be extended further until March 2025.

Governments will also consider whether to grant residency to certain Ukrainians, including those who are employed or enrolled in school.