Our Response to Emergency Needs of Ukrainian Refugees Here
As of now, more than 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled into Poland, often after enduring harrowing experiences and heart-wrenching departures from male family members and friends who have stayed in Ukraine to fight.
But their journey to find safety has only just begun.
The Taube Center, as a member of the Jewish Community’s Crisis Management Team, is working hand-in-hand with local partners including the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee-Poland, the office of the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Hillel Poland, and the Warsaw JCC.
We write to update you on what we have been able to do so far, detailed below, and to thank all of you who have already contributed financial and material support, enabling us to assist during this humanitarian crisis. To date, we have received 27,000 USD.
Emergency transportation to and from the border
Thus far, we have organized approximately 20 trips from the border crossings, helping more than 700 Ukrainian refugees, both Jewish and non-Jewish, into safe shelter in Poland.
Jakub Lysiak, our General Tour Manager, has been working around the clock since the invasion of Ukraine began, finding drivers, renting vans and coaches, arranging for fuel and driving refugees to safety in his own car. This assistance has included transferring food and medical supplies.
Day Center
We have just opened a Day Center for the Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw, together with Hillel Warsaw and the support of the Emanuel Ringelblum Jewish Historical Institute. The Center provides a safe space with computers, beverages, snacks; and a warm vegetarian lunch. Temporary homes have been arranged for these and otehr refugees in Warsaw.
Children with cancer
We were able to bring 14 children suffering from cancer to Polish hospitals in Warsaw and Lublin. We provided accommodation and food to their four caretakers and will continue to be in touch as further assistance might be needed.
Cooperative Efforts
The Taube Center is co-sponsoring a program to make sandwiches for the thousands arriving in Warsaw by trains and buses, overrunning the stations and public spaces. In addition, hamantaschen (traditional cookies for Purim) will be baked and delivered to the four refugee hotels currently managed by Warsaw’s Jewish Community.
Developing short- and long-term strategies
We continue to assess the acute and interim needs of the refugees in order to provide immediate and ongoing support. At the same time, it is clear that we need to plan for the longer term. To assist us in this process we are consulting with experts in international aid and migration as well as our colleagues on the ground.
There are no words to describe how grateful we are for your ongoing and generous support as we respond to the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since 1945. We will continue to update you about the situation and our efforts.
Please find the link below to the Taube Center if you would like to make a direct contribution to our relief efforts. We urge you to share it with family and friends.
