Poland

On 24 February 2022, the lives of 7.5 million children from Ukraine changed forever. The war in Ukraine triggered the largest and fastest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Over one year on, it continues to have a devastating impact on children in Ukraine and across Europe.

Save the Children Poland has been responding to the needs of children and families from Ukraine since 27 February 2022. As a new organization in Poland with no previous presence, Save the Children set up its operations in Poland and was successfully registered as a Polish foundation in April 2022.  We have been delivering activities and implementing programmes across Poland, and we work together in partnership with local NGOs. Our team keeps growing, and as of June 2024, we have about 70 team members.

In Poland, Save the Children has been working to provide humanitarian aid and essential services, such as education, child protection, child—friendly mental health and psycho-social support, as well as cash transfers for essential needs, to children and families who fled Ukraine.

Thanks to our supporters and partners, in 2022 and 2023, we have made a difference in the lives of more than 130,000 people, including almost 106,000 children.

Child Protection:  Nearly 80 percent of children and adolescents in Poland have experienced violence or neglect. That is why we offer systemic assistance to children who are particularly at risk of having their rights violated, regardless of their background. For more than two years, we have been running the Child Protection Program, under which we have created Child-Friendly Spaces and also provide emergency assistance.

Food Security & Livelihoods: More than half a million children in Poland live in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty means, for example, a lack of wholesome meals, which are essential for proper development. Children affected by it also cannot count on proper P.E. attire or the purchase of a school layette, without which they are at risk of discrimination from peers and learning difficulties. Save the Children Poland financially supports families in crisis and helps parents and young adults develop competencies that enhance their chances for better employment.

Mental health support for the youngest: The children's mental health crisis in Poland requires our strong response. Already 2% of children aged 6-12 and as many as 20% of teenagers suffer from depression. We must support these children! Through Save the Children's projects, children in need can receive individual or group help, as well as mental health and psychosocial support through our proprietary “TeamUp” and “HART” workshops, which help them face trauma and difficult emotions through fun and artistic activities.

Education:  Save the Children works for access to quality education for children around the world. In Poland, we support schools in integration and create after-school educational initiatives. In 60 libraries, our Foundation helps children learn more effectively, develop future skills, digital competencies and life skills. We also offer career counseling to help young people plan career paths.

Protecting children's rights: did you know that the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the world's first document defining the rights of all children, was created by Save the Children founder Eglantyne Jebb more than 100 la ago? Save the Children works to uphold the rights of children in Poland, both in emergency situations,