Help for Ukrainian Refugees in Kraków, Poland
Tax deductible
The Russian Federation’s devastating attack on Ukraine has led to the displacement of millions of Ukrainians from their homes. Most have fled to neighboring Poland, where more than 150,000 have received help in Rochester’s Polish sister city, Kraków*.
International Sister Cities of Rochester, NY, Inc. (ISCOR), requests your support to help Kraków meet the urgent needs of these refugees and the hundreds who continue to arrive daily, fleeing the war and cruel devastation of their home country.
Since the February 24, 2022, invasion of the independent nation Ukraine by the forces of the Russian Federation, more than 2.45 million women, children, elderly and other refugees have fled into the cities and villages of neighboring Poland (April 3, 2022**). Cities, religious institutions, charities, and individuals throughout Poland have responded with open hearts and open arms to receive, assist, and house the refugees and send material and humanitarian aid into Ukraine itself.
As of the end of March, in addition to sending assistance into Ukraine, Kraków has received 150,000 refugees since the beginning of the war, according to Filippo Grandi of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, increasing its population by 20%***. The city government has established reception points and refugee shelters and provides basic supplies, such as food and medical assistance, through beds or sleeping bags, baby supplies, clothing, etc.
The war and devastation in Ukraine continue unabated with no end in sight. And so does the flood of refugees into Kraków.
The City of Kraków has been Rochester’s Polish sister city since 1973. Kraków Mayor Jacek Majchrowski has reached out to Rochester, New York, Mayor Malik Evans to request assistance in Kraków’s effort to assist the Ukrainian refugees it receives. To fulfill that request, mayor Evans has turned to ISCOR, whose volunteers of the Kraków-Rochester Sister Cities Committee maintain the Kraków-Rochester relationship.
ISCOR recognizes and applauds the immense goodwill and generosity the Greater Rochester community has already shown in response to this crisis. Individuals, community organizations, businesses, educational, cultural, and religious institutions have sent tons of material and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its displaced and ravaged citizens. The Kraków committee has therefore recommends that ISCOR focus on assisting Kraków in meeting the needs of the Ukrainian refugees it receives.
ISCOR has established this GoFundMe project to raise funds to send to the City of Kraków to help meet its expenses for aid to the Ukrainian refugees who arrive in Kraków. After GoFundMe’s administrative fee deduction, your donation will go entirely to the City of Kraków fund “Help for citizens of Ukrainian.”
We ask for your generous donation to this humanitarian cause.
*The Economist magazine, April 2, 2022, “Flow of Refugees” graphic, page 17.
Organizer
International Sister Cities of Rochester, NY, Inc
Beneficiary