A women's shelter in Krakow, Poland, that provides crucial support to Ukrainian refugees escaping gender-based violence is facing an existential crisis, struggling with dwindling funding and a surge in anti-Ukrainian sentiment. Martynka, a helpline and support group founded by Ukrainian Nastya Podorozhnya, has hosted over 100 women and children since its inception. The organization offers assistance with escaping abuse, accessing medical care, psychological support, and finding employment and housing.
Podorozhnya established Martynka days before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, recognizing the vulnerability of women refugees to human traffickers as they arrived in Poland. While initial fundraising efforts were successful in the war's early months, international donors have since shifted their focus to other global crises. Compounding these financial challenges, calls for donations frequently attract online abuse directed at Podorozhnya and her team, who she believes are targeted because of their Ukrainian nationality.
Poland initially welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees, granting them access to jobs and social security benefits. By the end of 2022, about one million Ukrainian refugees had settled in Poland, with over 70% finding employment and contributing to the Polish economy. However, the narrative surrounding refugees has increasingly soured, with anti-Ukrainian rhetoric becoming a prominent theme in political discourse, particularly during the 2025 presidential campaign.
Political candidates exploited anti-refugee sentiment, with some proposing policies that would prioritize Polish citizens over Ukrainians for public services or restrict child welfare benefits for refugees. These political tensions have been exacerbated by historical grievances, such as a recent dispute over the naming of a Ukrainian military unit. Data from the Polish police indicates a significant increase in prejudice-motivated crimes against Ukrainian citizens, rising from 267 in 2024 to 180 by mid-July of the following year. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged these issues in late July, vowing to combat violence and hatred.
The Polish government has gradually reduced support for Ukrainian refugees, citing that many have stabilized their situations. However, human rights advocates warn that these cuts disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including single mothers, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, who are overrepresented among the refugees due to restrictions on Ukrainian men of military age leaving the country.
Katarzyna Nowakowska, Poland's deputy minister for family, labor and social policy, stated that the state continues to provide direct assistance to the most vulnerable and that other refugees needing support should consult social workers. Simultaneously, international aid for Ukrainian refugees has seen a sharp decline since 2022, with the UN refugee agency reporting that only half of its identified needs have been financed this year, compared to 94% in 2022.
Sonia Novytska, a Martynka helpline worker, noted that financial supporters have moved on, even as the war continues. Martynka received approximately 1,800 requests for help last year, a number expected to rise. The organization now assists not only victims of violence but also mothers struggling to provide basic necessities for their children. Podorozhnya emphasized that organizations like Martynka are performing essential services that the Polish state should be providing, helping to prevent refugees from becoming homeless or resorting to substance abuse out of despair.