WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Hoping to revive some normalcy after fleeing the battle in Ukraine, hundreds of refugees waited in lengthy traces Saturday within the Polish capital of Warsaw to get identification playing cards that can permit them to get on with their lives — no less than for now.
Refugees began queuing by Warsaw’s Nationwide Stadium in a single day to get the coveted PESEL identification playing cards that can permit them to work, reside, go to highschool and get medical care or social advantages for the subsequent 18 months. Nonetheless, by mid-morning, many had been informed to return again one other day, the demand was too excessive although Polish authorities had simplified the method.
“We’re on the lookout for a job now,” mentioned 30-year-old Kateryna Lohvyn, who was standing within the line along with her mom, including it took a little bit of time to get better from the shock of the Russian invasion.
“We don’t but know (what to do),” she added. “However we’re grateful to the Poles. They fantastically welcome us.”
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Maryna Liashuk mentioned the nice and cozy welcome from Poland has made her really feel at residence already. If the scenario worsens, Liashuk mentioned she want to keep completely in Poland along with her household.
“If the battle ends and if there may be someplace to return to, we’ll try this. And if not, then we merely will stay right here,” mentioned Liashuk.
Poland has up to now taken in additional than 2 million refugees from Ukraine — t he bulk of greater than 3.3 million individuals that the U.N. says have fled since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Tons of of hundreds extra have additionally streamed into Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Romania.
A lot of the refugees fleeing Ukraine have been girls and kids, as a result of males aged 18 to 60 are forbidden from leaving the nation and have stayed to battle.
Polish authorities mentioned greater than 123,000 refugees have been given the ID numbers — together with greater than 1,000 every day in Warsaw — because the program was launched Wednesday.
Svetlana, a Ukrainian girl from Ivano-Frankivsk who has lived and labored in Poland for over 10 years, has had family members come now to Poland. She mentioned receiving the Polish ID numbers will make an enormous distinction for everybody from Ukraine.
“That is actually so necessary to us that we will formally search for work, ship kids to highschool and be energetic right here,” Svetlana mentioned. “It actually modifications the way in which we really feel right here.”
Refugees can obtain one-time good thing about 300 zlotys ($70) per individual and a month-to-month profit for every youngster underneath 18 of 500 zlotys ($117). Those that discover jobs should pay taxes similar to Polish employees.
Pavlo Masechko, a 17-year-old from Novovolynsk within the Volyn area of western Ukraine, has been making an attempt to rebuild his life within the southeastern Polish metropolis of Rzeszow. Earlier than the battle, Masechko had plans to return to Poland to check when he completed highschool, however he says being compelled out of his nation by battle is one thing utterly totally different.
“That is so irritating to go away your nation on this second like this,” mentioned Masechko, who has joined an area college in Poland since arriving. Now, Masechko’s Ukrainian trainer is searching for to prepare courses on-line that had been suspended when Russia attacked.
“When the scenario began, it was very troublesome for me to concentrate on different issues. However time handed and now the scenario is extra secure and secure in my head additionally,” he mentioned. “I’ve began to focus once more on different issues in my life.”
Lots of the refugees from Ukraine have since moved on to different international locations in Europe, principally to stick with family and friends. Some, nevertheless, have chosen to return residence at the same time as the tip of the battle is nowhere in sight.
Amongst them was 41-year-old Viktoria, who was ready Saturday along with her teenage daughter Alisa to board a practice again to Zhitomyr in central Ukraine.
“For the final 5 days it has been quiet,” mentioned Viktoria. “Our native authorities are good. They ready the whole lot for us there so we will return to work, have regular life and kids can have on-line training.”
Alisa mentioned she will not be afraid to return and desires to reunite with the remainder of the household who’re nonetheless in Ukraine.
“My family members are there,” she mentioned.
Observe the AP’s protection of the Ukraine disaster at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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