According to the UNHCR, 1,564,711 Ukrainians are currently registered in Poland under various temporary protection schemes (source: UNHCR Ukraine Refugee Situation portal, status March 2023).
The Federacja Polskich Banków Żywności prioritized the needs of the refugees in their daily operations. Throughout the last year, they redistributed almost 6,300 tonnes of food, worth almost €15 million, to Ukrainian citizens both in Poland and in Ukraine.
This overall amount is comprised of 5,088 tonnes of food distributed to refugees in Poland, with an approximate net worth of 55,210,833 PLN, benefitting 1,403 partner organisations. The other half is going to Ukraine directly, in form of 1,178 tonnes, with a net worth of 15,616,449 PLN supporting 179 partner organisations.
In addition, 21 local Food Banks carried out around 191 workshop sessions for almost 1,959 refugees aiming to inform, support, and aid the persons displaced by the war in creating a safe refuge for them in Polish cities and towns, including help from Polish volunteers in finding homes and employment.
“Each passing month of military activity made it clearer that aid for Ukraine must continue in the long term. At the Federation of Polish Food Banks, we gave the highest priority to growing our understanding of the refugees’ needs and meeting them as they emerged.” said Beata Ciepla, President of Federacja Polskich Banków Żywności.
Looking at 2023, the Polish Federation did not notice an increase in Ukrainian end beneficiaries however due to the rising energy prices and food prices the number of Polish beneficiaries has been increasing, indicating a difficult year ahead.
