Every third Ukrainian who crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border received support at the "Blue Dot". Now, these points will be closed until December 31, 2023.
"Blue Dot" centres in Poland will be closed in stages
In Poland, the "Blue Dot" support points for Ukrainian refugees, which have operated in transit zones since the beginning of the war, are being closed. The centres will complete their activities by December 31.
The UNHCR press release reported this.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced the gradual closure of "Blue Dot" centres in Poland. These are safe spaces where support was provided to women and children after the start of the war.
Such support centres were opened in Poland in March 2022 in transit zones where refugees most need help: at border crossing points, train stations, payment processing points and accommodation centres. The Blue Dots work will be completed by December 31, 2023.
During the period of activity in the "Blue Dot" hubs, almost 950,000 services were provided to children and families fleeing war, which included help in the field of mental health and psychosocial support, use of child-friendly spaces, referrals to child protection agencies, and providing information on health care, education, housing and transport.
Due to the changing needs of the refugee community and the protracted nature of the conflict, in recent months the main focus has been on the transition to a more sustainable approach through community centers managed in cooperation with municipalities and local organizations, ensuring the empowerment of communities in the long term period, the UNICEF press release explained.
Information for refugees staying in Poland can be found on the UNHCR website and the UNICEF "Together" page. There are also hotline numbers that provide emergency assistance.
Poland will reduce aid to refugees from Ukraine
Support for refugees, including lifting residence and work permit requirements and free access to schools, treatment and family benefits, will not be extended next year. This was stated by the government spokesman, Piotr Müller, to the Polsat TV channel.
These rules simply expire next year. I think that the regulation will not be expanded to a significant extent, he said.
According to Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy Anna Schmidt, Poland spent about 2.4 billion zlotys (550 million dollars) to help Ukrainian families who came to Poland.
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