Christian relief organisation Operation Mobilisation (OM) opened applications on 2 August for a week-long “Serving War Refugees in Poland” programme that will run 2–8 August in the Warsaw region. The outreach—capped at eight volunteers—focuses on psychosocial support, kids’ clubs and anti-trafficking briefings for mothers and children who fled Russia’s war on Ukraine. Participants must organise their own travel to Warsaw Chopin or Modlin airports but receive basic housing and meals at OM’s team house. The charity notes that Warsaw alone still hosts more than 500,000 displaced Ukrainians despite the EU-wide drop in refugee arrivals this year. Poland extended temporary-protection rights until March 2026, but NGOs warn that many families remain in limbo, unable to secure long-term status or jobs commensurate with their skills. For employers running corporate-sponsored volunteer programmes, the project offers a structured, short-duration option with clear safeguarding protocols and English-language support. It also provides insight into lingering integration hurdles—from language barriers to recognition of Ukrainian professional qualifications—that affect companies looking to hire from this talent pool. Mobility teams should flag that volunteers staying longer than 90 days may need to convert to a humanitarian residence permit; OM advises checking visa-waiver eligibility before applying. Businesses assisting staff relatives from Ukraine can tap the programme’s network for counselling and logistics advice.
Source: OM.org
