The strength of the Ukrainian people has impressed Natasza Bogacz from Caritas Norway. In the first weeks after Russia invaded the country, she stood on the Polish side of the border and received refugees from the war for 12-14 hours every day.

– I am so incredibly impressed by how resilient they are, that they don't break down after everything they have been through. In addition, it was powerful to experience how grateful they are for the way they are received. The fact that so many people are getting involved in the relief work is also touching. Even some of them who are refugees themselves are volunteering.

natasza bogacZ, project advisor at caritas norge

Natasza Bogacz, who originally comes from Poland, is currently employed at Caritas Resource Center in Oslo. But when the war broke out, she was more needed in Poland. She therefore traveled to the Polish border town of Przemyśl, to assist our sister organization there. In addition to contributing to the relief work, Natasza quickly became responsible for taking care of foreign media that came to Poland to report on the humanitarian crisis that was developing there.

Receiving thousands every day

Since the war began, thousands have crossed the border into Poland every day. In Poland, Caritas the largest aid organization in the country. They distribute 47,000 meals per day from 130 different Caritas centers along the border with Ukraine. In addition to food, they distribute hygiene items, clothes and toys to the children and help them find a place to sleep. In addition, Caritas Poland sent several hundred truckloads of emergency response into Ukraine.

Bogacz was impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of Caritas Poland. In just a few days, they got a huge aid operation in place, while welcoming both refugees and volunteers and aid workers in an incredibly warm way.

Good support in Caritas -family

They welcomed me as if I were one of them. It wasn't just me who knew the language, but everyone else from other countries as well. Caritas organizations. It was nice to have good support from Caritas -family, because it was tough to witness all this despair. At the same time, you couldn't take it all in while you were there because there was so much to do and so many people who needed help. I didn't want to leave, but luckily there were many new volunteers who could take our place.

natasza bogacZ, project advisor at caritas norge

After a short break back home in Norway, Natasza is now back in Poland to serve Caritas Norway's information desk for refugees at the train station in Krakow.