Since the start of the war in February 2022 Global Empowerment Mission Europe is actively involved in relief efforts for conflict-affected Ukrainians. As part of GEM Network, the European team joined extensive operations in Poland and the region to support refugees, internally displaced persons and frontline communities.

Immediate assistance and support at the border

Already On 25 February 2022, on the second day of the invasion, GEM Europe joined activities at the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing at Medyka, providing support to thousands of people fleeing war.
Assistance continued throughout the year, covering also railway station in Przemyśl, where around 2 000 refugees were arriving daily, and Tesco Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemyśl - the nearest border to a major aid centre.
Refugees received there travel kits, essentials and assistance with onward travel arrangements.

Relocation and accommodation scheme

In March 2022 GEM BStrong, with the active participation of GEM Europe, launched an extensive relocation and accommodation programme. The initiative was implemented in cooperation with the foundation Jolanta Kwasniewska „Agreement without barriers”, a company Why Not Travel and Airbnb.

With this:

• 38 744 refugees from Ukraine were relocated to more than 40 countries,
• 13,624 persons have found temporary accommodation.

This rapid programme has become a model for global coordination of relief efforts and has given families on the move a sense of security and dignity.

Distribution of humanitarian aid in Poland

In 2022, GEM Europe was involved in extensive activities conducted in Ptak Warsaw Expo in Nadarzyn - Europe's largest refugee shelter.

Aid was also distributed at a network of key locations in Poland, including:

• Foundation Uniters (support for military families),
• Wawer District Office (distribution and information point),
• Foundation for the Development of Cinematography (refugee support centre),
• Christian Community South (Free-Shop with necessities),
• Other Space Foundation - Mother's House in Bialoleka (long-term shelter for pregnant women and mothers),
• Pludy parish - Caritas (accommodation and support for families),
• Heart of the City Foundation - Bielany (Food and hygiene point),
• Institute of Innovation - Refugee House Guesthouse (integration and education of children),
• Przemyśl (Railway station, Tesco helpdesk),
• Medicine (border crossing and mobile support),
• Elk (Association with the Spirit of the Heart - helping foster families from Ukraine),
• Raszyn (Love Life Foundation - daily distributions),
• Swarzędz (Beginning of the World Foundation - support for children with disabilities),
• Radłów (Start Association - youth aid),
• Korčová (logistics hub run with the Foundation for Seniors and Borderlanders),
• Lublin (partners supporting internally displaced persons).

Impact and long-term support

Thanks to a network of local partners, a permanent presence on the ground and efficient logistics GEM Europe has participated in the delivery of thousands of pallets of humanitarian aid, supported relocation programmes and provided long-term assistance to refugee families.
Transports were regularly sent from Polish warehouses directly into Ukraine, reaching frontline communities.

GEM Europe's activities in 2022 have laid the foundation for the long-term support programmes, both in Poland and Ukraine, with the opening of a Ukrainian branch in Kyiv.

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