Call for help for refugees at the border

The Mayor of Warsaw and representatives of various churches and religions in Poland have called for solidarity with migrants and refugees in need and for support for secular and faith-based organisations providing assistance at the Polish-Belarusian border. In addition, a collection of goods for the migrants and refugees has been initiated.

"We are convinced that the respect for every human being must dominate above all arguments in the discussion of the political aspects of the migration crisis, and all our actions should be based on the recognition of their inseparable dignity and motivated by the need for prompt assistance," wrote the authors of the call. They pointed out that the expectations of migrants and refugees to find a home and safety have been put to a serious test. The statement also stressed that while the situation at the border is complicated and perceived differently, this should not overshadow the most important thing – the people who need to be helped here and now.

"We urge people to support both faith-based and secular organisations that carry out humanitarian work in the border area. For we believe that the most important borders run through the human heart. These borders should always be open," the letter concludes. It was signed by: bishop Marek M. Karol Babi, Bishop of The Old Catholic Mariavite Church in the RP, rev. Bogdan Kruba, representative of the Greek Catholic Church, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz, Archbishop of the Warsaw Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Jerzy Samiec, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg in Poland, rev. Doroteusz Sawicki, representative of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland and Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw.

Churches and religious communities will be holding a collection for migrants and refugees in need. During the weekend of 27-28 November, the capital city of Warsaw is organising a collection of goods for municipalities in the Hajnówka district in order to support migrants. The contributions from people of Warsaw will go, among others, to Czeremcha, Białowieża and Hajnówka.

more info and materials in Polish: https://um.warszawa.pl/-/zbiorka