Owing to the current situation in Ukraine and the large numbers of refugees entering Poland, The Soroptimist Union of Poland is taking action to support the refugees, mainly women and children. Soroptimist Ireland recently raised over 7000 euro which has been sent to the Soroptimist Union of Poland to help with their efforts to:
- Purchase food and other essential items
- Find accommodation
- Access to psychological assistance
- Gain legal assistance
- Provide interpreters and translator
More than 10 million people are already thought to have fled their homes in Ukraine because of the invasion, according to the United Nations. As well as the 4.3 million who have left for neighbouring countries, another 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself. The UN’s 10 million figure is based on research carried out by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) between 9 and 16 March. The IOM estimates that more than half of the people who are internally displaced are women, and many are deemed particularly vulnerable because they are pregnant, have a disability or are a victim of violence.
