Jersey's Honorary Polish Consul leads project to house 250 Ukranian refugees in Poland

Jersey’s Honorary Polish Consul is heading up a project to house 250 Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Magda Chmielewska has been raising money in Jersey and is working with the Polish Government to put the plans into action.

More than 50 prefabricated homes will be placed in the north-east Polish district of Moniecki.

The houses will be structured so that when the war is over, the refugees' homes can be moved from Poland to Ukraine.

Some refugees are currently living in large warehouses. Credit: Magda Chmielewska

"There is a massive need for help in Europe and in Poland," Ms Chmielewska explained.

"Ukrainian refugees that are stranded now and based in Poland, not necessarily knowing when they will be able to go back to their beloved country.

"If you think about what home is to you - to each and every one of us - it'll change the way they perceive the world.

  • "It will give them hope" - Magda Chmielewska explains how the scheme will help Ukrainian refugees in Poland

"It is not just about building houses but laying the foundations for everyone to live together," the head of Poland's Moniecki district Błażej Buńkowski said.

"The amazing thing is that the project involves investments which will serve our guests, but also the local community, which will contribute to integration and living together in better conditions."

He explains this will involve improvements to pavements and sports fields, extending a local community centre, and renovating a school.

  • Błażej Buńkowski, the head of Poland's Moniecki district, explains how the project will help locals and refugees

Ms Chmielewska says the response to this project has been very positive and reflects the way islanders have supported Ukraine since the war started.

"It really struck me, when we had the first appeal everyone worked together," she added.

"We had over 2,000 volunteers giving their time and it was a massive operation. We had a gentleman come in and he took his coat from his back, he didn't have anything else but he said I want you to have it."