Afghans evacuated by Polish government
After their evacuation, Afghans were first quarantined in either reception centres or other facilities (hotels, motels, e.g. in Poznań). During that time, they had access to organized meals and medical assistance; had telephone contact with interpreters and lawyers/NGOs; and were provided support with shopping online.[1]
After the quarantine, Afghans staying in hotels/motels were transported by the Office for Foreigners to the reception centres. Later on, the Office for Foreigners provided transport for them, if needed: to hospitals/doctors or to public offices to participate in asylum proceedings, give fingerprints or receive documents.[2]
The Office for Foreigners hired mentors knowing Pashto and Dari languages to enable contact with evacuated Afghans and facilitate their integration. Mentors visit reception centres and are available for foreigners by phone. Their responsibilities include familiarizing foreigners with Polish culture and lifestyle, explaining cultural differences, facilitating contact with Polish authorities (e.g. enrolling to school), supporting foreigners in conflict situations and mediation and their initial integration in Poland.[3]
Materials explaining material reception conditions for asylum seekers staying in Poland were translated to Pashto and Dari and distributed to evacuated Afghans. They included information about: NGOs supporting asylum seekers by inter alia providing legal assistance; obligatory vaccinations for children; and Polish education system. The Office for Foreigners distributed also special materials drawn up by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy explaining steps to be taken after being granted international protection, including what they need to do in order to start work in Poland, access vocational training, learn Polish, receive the Individual Integration Programme and legal and psychological support.[4]
Polish language classes for evacuated Afghans were organized taking into consideration their particular needs, i.e. the number of classes was increased so as all interested persons can attend. The Office for Foreigners turned to local municipalities to indicate which schools Afghan children are to attend and to organize preparatory classes, hire teacher’s assistants as well as ensure additional Polish language and compensatory classes for them.[5]
Evacuated Afghans received also material support: SIM cards with unlimited calls to Afghanistan, school materials, clothes, shoes, hygienic products, diapers, household appliances, strollers and baby food. Material support was most often offered to Afghans by NGOs,[6] who gathered it from private persons. Polish society willingly offered material support for Afghan evacuees. However, the fact that the support was earmarked for Afghans did lead to some conflicts and tensions with other asylum seekers staying in the reception centres.[7]
Polish Government granted also some funding for NGOs for supporting the integration process of Afghan evacuees.[8]
[1] Information provided by the Office for Foreigners, 26 January 2022.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] All materials available here: https://bit.ly/3IQkOV6.
[5] Information provided by the Office for Foreigners, 26 January 2022.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Polskie Forum Migracyjne, Facebook post, 15 September 2021.
[8] See e.g. Polskie Forum Migracyjne, ‘Adaptacja do życia w Polsce obywateli Afganistanu ewakuowanych po przejęciu władzy przez Talibów – grupa w Warszawie’, project description available in Polish at: https://bit.ly/3trA7Nr.