Poland resident sees Ukraine refugees

Szymon Majtas, who spent the 2013-14 school year at Kaukauna High School living with the Bruce and Sue McCabe family, now lives in Warsaw, Poland, and is seeing firsthand the effects of the Russian invasion on Ukraine. The Polish people have turned into unsung heroes.

Following the Feb. 23 invasion, more than 2 million Ukrainians fled to seek refuge elsewhere, creating the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II, and Poland is the safest way out of the country. 

“We work and study as usual here in Warsaw and 200 miles to the east, there is war,” Majtas said through social messaging. “It’s hard on my mental wellness but I’m feeling increasingly better, keeping myself busy helping others.”

He often times helps people find the money exchange, the correct bus stop, and other things like that.

“Our reception points are overcrowded and I went to the Warsaw central station last week and there’s so many people there, truly a humanitarian crisis is approaching,” he said.

When asked where all of the people are going, he said many Polish people have taken the refugees into their homes, but in Warsaw, it’s schools and some concert venues.

COS Torwar, the biggest concert venue/arena in Warsaw with permanent seating for 4,824 people, was set up as a reception point and the refugees sleep there.

“From what I see most of things are done by volunteers,” he said. “They work with restaurants and shops to get food, create Facebook groups to find accommodations for those people. Transportation from the border and between cities is also done organically.

After dealing with COVID-19 for two years, Majtas said everyone was hoping for a good summer. “Aaaand Putin starts a war….,” he said.