Right now we need to think about preventing a humanitarian disaster at the border. The situation is truly serious, Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of the Podkarpackie region and President of the ECR Group at the European Committee of the Regions highlights.

As he explained, the Podkarpackie and Lubelskie regions are currently transit areas. Refugees arrive there and are provided with essential materials and medical aid if necessary, as is increasingly the case. The refugees are then transferred to the interior of the country where accommodation is prepared for them.

According to Władysław Ortyl, the people who were crossing the border as of Monday generally knew where they were going – to family members, loved ones who are currently working in Poland or abroad. However, a second wave began of people who did not have plans, who were escaping from the dramatic events, protecting their children and families. As Mr Ortyl pointed out, this case is more difficult and there will be more and more of these refugees. They are coming to Poland from Odesa, Kyiv and Kharkiv.

"It is incredibly dramatic, because these are mothers with children, no men, sometimes waiting dozens of hours or even days in this long queue on the Ukrainian side, often in unheated cars. Under these conditions, children, sometimes even infants, can't receive adequate care. There are cases where medical care is necessary", Mr Ortyl said.

"This problem is growing. [...] The situation is really difficult. I think that now we need to think about preventing a humanitarian disaster at the border", he added.

Source: Polish Press Agency.