“Levy in mass of support”: the role of NGOs in providing assistance to war refugees from Ukraine (research report)

Abstract

This paper aims to present selected findings from qualitative research carried out in 2023, which consisted of five individual interviews and one focus group interview conducted with staff of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions working with refugees from Ukraine in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. These investigations were primarily concerned with the assessment of the support provided by non-governmental organizations, their strengths, as well as difficulties and limitations of the activities undertaken by NGOs to help war refugees. The results have shown that the role played by NGOs in providing assistance to refugees from Ukraine was impressive, especially considering the scale and the forms of their activities. The staff of NGOs demonstrated efficiency, flexibility and great commitment. The difficulties and limitations affecting their efforts for war refugees stemmed primarily from the absence of relevant regulations based on which they could operate; further obstacles included problematic cooperation with public administration, financial difficulties and other deficits.