In view of the emerÂgency situaÂtion on the UkraiÂnian-Polish border, a fact-finding team from the aid orgaÂniÂsaÂtion @fire - InterÂnaÂtioÂnaÂler KatasÂtroÂphenÂschutz DeutÂschland e.V. in coopeÂraÂtion with the Björn SteiÂger FounÂdaÂtion and the InstiÂtute for EuroÂpean Affairs - INEA - is currently on mission in the Polish border town of Chelm to idenÂtify humaÂniÂtaÂrian needs. The assiÂgnÂment is carried out at the request of the City President.
The town of Chelm is locaÂted at the northernÂmost of eight Polish-UkraiÂnian border crosÂsings. In the Lublin VoivoÂdeÂship, the city is one of the first recepÂtion centres that refuÂgees reach - by trains, buses and private cars. Every day, thouÂsands of refuÂgees - mainly mothers with chilÂdren - arrive in the city of 65,000 inhaÂbiÂtants. They are proviÂded with meals and accomÂmoÂdaÂtion and, if necesÂsary, receive primary health care.
Based on the needs idenÂtiÂfied and in consulÂtaÂtion with the City President, a relief operaÂtion may follow, if necesÂsary, to assist the city in caring for and proviÂding for the incoÂming refugees.