Context
On 24 February 2022, the Russian army launched a high-scale invasion to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 6 million people have been internally displaced and more than 6 million refugees have sought refuge in Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. As men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the territory of Ukraine, refugees are mainly women, children and elderly people.
Once they cross the border with one of Ukraine's neighbouring countries, the refugees look either for a specific destination or just for a safe place to temporarily seek refuge. This unstable situation is unfortunately conducive to the development of illegal networks that can put refugees, especially women and children, in danger.
TSF deployed a first team on the ground on 28 February. In close coordination with different United Nations agencies, the local authorities and the other humanitarian organisations active in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries, it has implemented different actions within Ukraine and in neighbouring countries to provide telecom support and access to information for the refugees, internally displaced people and humanitarian organisations.
Providing essential information to refugees
Poland is the second European country receiving the highest number of refugees from Ukraine (over 1,4M according to the United Nations estimates). Refugees arriving in a new country, after leaving their homes and families often on short notice, often lack the necessary information either to start a new life in the new country, or to move to their final destinations.
To meet this need, TSF started an information distribution project to provide them with essential, tailored information to help them stay safe and make the most informed decisions for their future. In collaboration with the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), TSF is installing informative screens in different reception sites for refugees in Poland. The information displayed is gathered from trustful sources and covers different topics relevant to refugees, including self-care advice, international protection, legal advice, support provided by institutions, among others. In each center, the information displayed will be adapted to the location and the needs of the assisted populations. More than 6,000 Ukrainian refugees visit these centers every month.
TSF's Response to the War in Ukraine
