Warsaw, Poland - We landed in Warsaw, a modern European city of 1.8 million people whose population has exploded as they welcomed hundreds of thousands of refugees, fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Our hotel is less than 200 miles from the nearest border with the war torn country, but only 10 minutes away from the physical and emotional pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Our first day brought us to a different type of refugee gathering, there were no “tents” but instead a new Ukrainian city created in a Warsaw Hotel.
Tens of thousands of people have arrived and thrived through this great humanitarian effort, supported by amazing people, who are committed to providing a dignified life to a displaced people.
Although different ages and backgrounds, the inhabitants have one thing in common, they were all displaced by war and had to say goodbye to their homes, family, friends, pets, cars, country and job, some were doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, businessmen and some had nothing.
But in this new city, they had all of the elements and services needed to sustain a population who sadly arrived with nothing and if they were “lucky” sometimes with only two bags full of what they were able to grab of their lives.
Morgan (DeNicola Family Foundation Executive Director) and I were able to meet with refugees and hear their stories. We sat with a couple who travelled over 3,000 miles, escaping Ukraine, through Russia in an attempt to find safety and peace.
We attended a children’s culture, geography and language class, the children told us each where they were from, many from cities almost entirely destroyed, with homes and friends they will sadly never see again, we played with beautiful little Amalia, who’s just 14 months old, for most of her life she’s known only war.
We were so proud to bring smiles to their appreciative faces, as we donated much needed clothing (winters are brutal) and school supplies. Best of all was delivering a little of Santa to the children.
Most of the refugees were older adults, women (some pregnant) and children as men between the ages of 16-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine, they must stay behind to defend their country.
One of the more difficult parts of the visit, was hearing of an 86-year-old Holocaust Survivor who is suffering terribly with Parkinson’s. A man who as a child experienced the worst of humanity, once again experiencing it in his last years.
His city in Ukraine was occupied by the Russians early in the war, unable to escape he had no choice but to stay home with his caregiver and little means. With the harsh Eastern European winter now starting, mass power outages and his city suddenly liberated, he knew he must leave, unfortunately his caregiver has no passport, so even if he was to leave, he would be unable to function alone. Thankfully, through the DeNicola Family Foundation, we were able to alleviate a little of that suffering by providing him with 24 hour care in Poland, until he moves to his new home in Israel.
Volunteers engaged supporters locally and globally to provide necessary goods and services such as healthcare, daycare, education for children, veterinary care for pets, medical equipment including wheelchairs and food.
Shopping boutiques were set up to provide new and donated clothing for all, creating a dignified shopping (free) experience for adults and children, bringing them dignity and decency in these troubled times.
The hotel’s meeting room doubled as headquarters and a kind of new “City Hall“.
Legal services and human rights training, which we had the opportunity to see, was accessible to all as they plan their futures. Security and policing were established to provide a safe haven.
This new city will never have a name or be on a map but will forever have a place in our hearts, as we celebrate the human spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people, while we pray for the end of the war.
