ID in hand, refugees in Poland begin a new life

WARSAW－Hoping to restore some normalcy after fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, thousands of refugees waited in long lines on Saturday in the Polish capital Warsaw to get identification cards that will allow them to get on with their lives－at least for now.

Refugees started queuing at Warsaw's National Stadium overnight to get the coveted PESEL identity cards that will allow them to work, live, go to school and get medical care or social benefits for the next 18 months. Still, by midmorning, many were told to come back another day, as the demand was too high despite Polish authorities having simplified the process.

"We are looking for a job now," said Kateryna Lohvyn, 30, who was standing in line with her mother, adding that it took a bit of time to recover from the shock.

"We don't yet know (what to do).But we are thankful to the Poles. They fantastically welcome us."

Maryna Liashuk said the warm welcome from Poland has made her feel at home. If the situation worsens, Liashuk said, she would like to stay permanently in Poland with her family.

"If there is someplace to return to, we will do that. And if not, then we simply will remain here," Liashuk said.

Poland has taken in more than 2 million refugees from Ukraine－the bulk of more than 3.3 million people that the United Nations said have fled since Russia's conflict with Ukraine began on Feb 24. Hundreds of thousands more have also streamed into Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Romania.

Most refugees fleeing Ukraine have been women and children.

Polish authorities said more than 123,000 refugees have been given ID numbers, including more than 1,000 each day in Warsaw, since the program was launched on Wednesday.

Svetlana, a Ukrainian woman from Ivano-Frankivsk who has lived and worked in Poland for more than 10 years, has had relatives come now to Poland. She said receiving Polish ID cards will make a huge difference for the refugees.

"This is really so important to us that we can officially look for work, send children to school and be active here," Svetlana said. "It really changes the way we feel here."

Refugees can receive a one-time benefit of 300 zlotys ($70) per person and a monthly benefit of 500 zlotys for those under the age of 18.Those who find jobs will have to pay taxes.

Pavlo Masechko, a 17-year-old from Novovolynsk in western Ukraine, has been trying to rebuild his life in the southeastern Polish city of Rzeszow.

"It is so stressful to leave your country in a moment like this," said Masechko, who has joined a local school in Poland since arriving. Now, Masechko's Ukrainian teacher is trying to organize classes online.

"When the situation started, it was very difficult for me to focus on other things. But time passed and now the situation is more stable and stable in my head also," he said. "I have started to focus again on other things in my life."

Many of the refugees from Ukraine have since moved on to other countries in Europe, mostly to stay with friends and family. Some, however, have chosen to go back home even as the end of the conflict is nowhere in sight.

Among them is 41-year-old Viktoria. "My relatives are there," she said.

Agencies via Xinhua