World News
Krakow shelter for Ukrainian refugee women faces closure amid declining aid and rising prejudice
Declining international funding, reduced Polish government support, and increasing anti-Ukrainian sentiment have left support networks for vulnerable refugees struggling to operate.
The short version
- Martynka, a helpline and shelter in Krakow assisting Ukrainian refugee women fleeing gender-based violence, is struggling to stay open due to reduced funding and growing hostility.
- International donor funding for Ukrainian refugees has dropped significantly since 2022, and the Polish government has gradually scaled back state aid programs.
- Data from Polish police show 180 Ukrainian citizens were victims of prejudice-motivated crimes by mid-July, following 275 cases recorded in all of 2025 and 267 in 2024.
- Aid organizations warn of rising hardship among vulnerable refugees, while Polish officials maintain that direct state help remains available to those most in need.
Key facts
- Martynka was founded by Nastya Podorozhnya to assist female Ukrainian refugees escaping gender-based violence, operating a shelter in Krakow that has hosted over 100 women and children.[Associated Press]
- U.N. refugee agency data shows international funding covered only half of identified needs for Ukrainian refugees this year, down from 94% in 2022.[Associated Press]
- Polish police recorded 180 prejudice-motivated crimes against Ukrainian citizens by mid-July, compared with 275 in 2025 and 267 in 2024.[Associated Press]
- Research by Olena Babakova at Vistula University found anti-Ukrainian sentiment intensified during Poland's 2025 presidential campaign as politicians proposed limiting benefits or prioritizing Polish citizens.[Associated Press]
- Deputy Minister for Family, Labor and Social Policy Katarzyna Nowakowska stated that vulnerable applicants still receive direct state aid and that other refugees can turn to social workers.[Associated Press]
- Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees remain in Poland, with a Deloitte study estimating their economic contribution at 2.7% of Poland's gross domestic product in 2024.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Whether non-governmental organizations like Martynka can secure alternative funding to prevent closures and services reductions remains uncertain.[Associated Press]