Mothers who help each other in times of war. A row of strollers complete with blankets and baby necessaire on a platform of a train station in Poland. It is one of the myriads of photos posted on twitter that offers us a glimpse of the ongoing war in Ukraine. A conflict that sees among its protagonists thousands of women, mothers, sisters, aunts forced to flee their homes taking children of all ages with them, not necessarily their own children. It is of the Ukrainian refugees that Polish women have thought by leaving strollers on the train tracks that will make their journey to a safe country far from war less difficult.
The Ukrainian solidarity machine
Located near the border with Ukraine, the Polish city of Przemysl has become a transit point for fleeing Ukrainians. Thousands of people arrive here every day. The solidarity machine was immediately set in motion with local authorities and residents who are helping those fleeing the war. Since the Russian invasion began, the Cultural Association, «The Ukrainian People’s House», has begun to welcome refugees within its spaces. This reception center is the smallest in the city, it can accommodate up to forty people. Refugees usually stay here for a night or two, time to make travel arrangements to join family or friends elsewhere. So there are always beds available.
Hot meals, medical treatment
The Polish people mobilized en masse to help the Ukrainians. The ties between the two countries are strong. Near the border crossings, about ten reception points have been set up by the authorities where refugees can find temporary accommodation, a hot meal, medical care and indications for what to do in the near future both day and night. In addition, the authorities have prepared a special train used to transport the wounded that can take them from the border to Warsaw, where the sick will be accommodated in a hospital set up at the municipal stadium and which a year ago was used for Covid patients. In addition, many Poles, moved by compassion, have rushed in recent days to welcome and take home those fleeing the Russian invasion by private means.