The Embassy of the Order of Malta in Poland has issued an alert containing safety rules for refugees which is being distributed along the main exit routes in Ukrainian, English and Polish. Currently 12 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine as a result of the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, of whom 1.9 million are internally displaced, 4 million people are expected to be crossing the border into neighbouring countries and 2.8 million people have already done so.

With this massive influx of people, the Order of Malta is raising attention on the risk of refugees falling victims of human traffickers.

Malteser International is coordinating the efforts of all the Order of Malta associations and relief organisations involved on the ground, including those of Poland, which were mobilised within hours of the start of hostilities on 24 February. The Order of Malta in Poland is providing 24/7 service to incoming refugees at the Ukrainian border. This includes a shuttle service, mobile medical points in Kroscienko, and food distribution at Lubycza Krolewska.

In Ukraine, volunteers of the Order of Malta are providing medical and psychological first aid to the people fleeing the war and accommodation is offered in Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk in the western side of the country. Food is also distributed in 6 different locations in Lviv where a medical centre is being set up. A field kitchen is running in Krakowez where teams are also providing psychological support. Near the Hungarian border, in Berehove, the Order of Malta is supporting refugees who are trying to cross the border and is distributing relief goods. Baby food and basic items are being sent to Kharkiv.

The diplomatic network of the Order of Malta is actively supporting the ongoing relief operations, calling for full protection of international law through the erection of humanitarian corridors and for the humanitarian aid to be safely delivered in Ukraine to the people in need.