Ukrainians were forced to pay for accommodation in Poland

Interia: In Poland, refugees from Ukraine were forced to pay for housingToday is the first day of spring. Winter is over and it will soon warm up. Many are happy about this, but not the Ukrainian refugees who now live in Poland, because from March 1, they will have to pay for their accommodation in residence centers themselves.Currently, there are more than one million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The new rules for taking charge of accommodation in places of collective living will concern around 80,000 people. Similar laws have been in effect since June last year for migrants who lived with Polish families.The Polish government announced the new rules in September 2022. However, for many Ukrainians, this news came as a shock. Authorities note that the purpose of this decision is not to deprive IDPs of a roof over their heads. They are interested in the professional activity of Ukrainians so that people find work.Admittedly, even those who have found work fear that they will not have enough income to afford housing and groceries. Some say that in this case they will have to return to Ukraine.However, the new law provides for a number of exceptions. In particular, it will not affect citizens who depend on outside help: children, people with disabilities, pensioners, pregnant women and Ukrainians raising children under the age of one.In addition, mothers or guardians who independently care for three or more children in Poland will not have to pay for accommodation. Authorities will also release citizens who are now “in a difficult situation” from payment.Authorities say they will review each case individually. They will assess ability to pay expenses, guided by ‘humanitarian considerations’, writes Interior .The European Union helps to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Certainly, the authorities say that the 200 million dollars allocated to Warsaw are a drop in the ocean of needs.Last year, the starna received 700 million dollars to be able to provide humanitarian aid to displaced people. In 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner is also expected to allocate approximately the same amount for these purposes. The money does not go to the state budget, but immediately to non-governmental organizations.The Polish government is convinced that European structures should extend financial support to Ukrainian refugees.Earlier, refugees from Ukraine expressed their desire to return to their homeland.