On 6 May 2025, within the framework of the EU_LEAD project, implemented with the support of the EU Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Programme, a public lecture by Dorota d'Aystetten, Director of the Warmia and Mazury Branch of the Polish Red Cross in Olsztyn, on "Humanitarian assistance of the Red Cross of the Republic of Poland on the example of the Warmia and Mazury Branch" was held in a hybrid format.
At the beginning of her speech, the speaker noted that the active phase of the armed conflict in Ukraine has been going on for more than three years, and millions of people are still in need of assistance. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, together with national associations such as the Polish Red Cross (PRC), and in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross, is constantly working to ensure that aid gets to where it is needed most - by strengthening logistics, expanding warehouses and ensuring that vital goods reach those affected by the crisis.
For the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, helping Ukraine has become the largest and most complex humanitarian operation since World War II, Dorota d'Aystetten said. Nevertheless, support for the Ukrainian Red Cross and assistance to Ukrainians in neighbouring countries continues. For example, 60 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have raised CHF 2.3 billion worldwide for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
The speaker focused on the activities of the Polish Red Cross, which from the first hours of the full-scale invasion supported Ukraine through urgent assistance to Ukrainian refugees at the border and sending humanitarian cargo to Ukraine. In total, the Polish Red Cross provided assistance to refugees from Ukraine in the amount of PLN 304 million: 1,800,000 people received humanitarian assistance in Poland, 98,671 families received financial assistance in various forms, 16 integration centers were created, 965 shipments of humanitarian aid were sent to Ukraine, 9,300 tons of aid were received by Ukrainian refugees in Poland, and 5,821 tons were sent to those who remained in Ukraine.
Today, the activities of the PRC are focused primarily on integration programs for refugees from Ukraine, which are aimed at long-term support. Dorota d'Aystetten revealed in detail the content and results of a number of such programs, such as: "Together to Independence", "A Chance for a New Start", "Health Matters" or the "Livelihoods" project, thanks to which Ukrainian refugees receive comprehensive assistance in education, employment and healthcare.
The director also focused on the goals and results of the work of the Olsztyn branch of the Polish Red Cross. Thus, the scale of assistance to Ukrainian refugees in 2022 was unprecedented here, and the largest amount of funds was provided for cash payments (Sodexo vouchers) - a total of PLN 739,900.00, which were received by 3,399 people. Also, a significant part of the assistance (PLN 620,966.76) was food kits, which were used by 29,936 people. The third group of humanitarian aid was made up of packages with industrial goods (PLN 401,471.65), etc. However, in 2023, assistance to Ukrainian refugees in kind significantly decreased, which was due to a change in its priorities, as well as a decrease in funds and charitable donations. Thus, in 2023, the largest amount of assistance (PLN 206,250.00) was provided by food packages, which were received by 2,563 people; followed by cash assistance in the form of vouchers (PLN 75,010.00), which was received by 577 people, and packages with industrial goods (PLN 21,550.00), which were used by 356 people, etc. In return, the amount for Polish language courses was increased (PLN 26,540.00), which helps Ukrainians better adapt to new conditions.
Thanks to the support of donors and business partners, assistance to Ukraine continues within the framework of long-term programs. The Polish Red Cross focuses on professional activation, integration support, and psychological and medical assistance. For its work, the Polish Red Cross received the prestigious International Humanitarian Service Award, which is presented in Washington by the American Red Cross.
The speech aroused considerable interest among students, who actively participated in the discussion, discussing issues of modern challenges in the provision of humanitarian aid, its transparency and accountability, humanitarian aid programs for youth, the fate of Ukrainian orphans who ended up in Poland due to Russian aggression, etc. In total, 95 people – teachers and students of the International Relations educational program – joined the open lecture. The EU_LEAD project team expresses gratitude to all participants of the event.
