HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.
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Poland
Anastasiia Trynchuk, a 5-year-old with autism, in the apartment where she and her family stayed in June 2022 in Krakow. HIAS supports many local organizations in Poland, including the Patchwork Association which houses and helps Ukrainian families of people with disabilities. (Betsy Joles for HIAS)
Country Director
Bartosz Piechowicz
Office Location
Warsaw
Founded
2022
Staff Size
8
Connect
Nearly 5 million people crossed into Poland since the war in Ukraine began in 2022 and 1.5 million people are projected to remain. Poland expects to continue receiving and hosting a considerable number of refugees, and HIAS now has the on-the-ground presence in Poland to help displaced groups and refugee populations from Ukraine. HIAS works to improve their mental health and wellbeing, access basic legal rights in Poland, reduce and prevent gender-based violence, and earn sustainable incomes through safe economic opportunities.
120,000
people assisted in 2022
Our Work in Poland
Refugees often arrive in a state of distress and anxiety, having left family members behind, and they often lack a clear plan for where to go. HIAS works to ensure that refugees receive the necessary and timely information on rights and services available that will enable them to navigate the system. Refugees in Poland are predominantly staying in hosted or rented accommodations, and their urgent needs are cash, employment, and housing. HIAS is committed to supporting local organizations and building the capacity of civil society and local authorities to implement protection services for refugees.
Our economic inclusion programs ensure that refugees have economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and start their lives anew.
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We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.
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From mobilizing grassroots advocates to engaging policymakers, advocacy is fundamental to HIAS’ work. With the Jewish community beside us, we stand up for the rights of forcibly displaced people globally.
We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.
HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.
Learn More
Impact Story
In Poland, Airbnbs Offer Refuge for Weary Ukrainians
In Poland, many Ukrainians are grappling with high rental costs and apartment shortages in major cities, and refugees are struggling to find places to stay long-term. With HIAS’ support, some refugees find options to stay in an Airbnb.
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Oksana Bezkorovaina and her daughter Masha spend time in the apartment of a friend where they stayed before shifting to an Airbnb with help from Our Choice and HIAS on June 4, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland (Betsy Joles for HIAS)
HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption.
For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.
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