PETALING JAYA: With 2.6 million Ukrainians having fled to Poland, Malaysians in Warsaw are pitching in to help these refugees.

       “We just want to say, we are here for them,” said Malaysian ambassador to Poland Datuk Chitra Devi Ramiah.

       Initially, the Malaysian embassy was focused on the welfare of Malaysians in Poland while simultaneously managing Malaysians stranded in Ukraine.

       But since then, the embassy has gone on to help displaced Ukrainians, demonstrating Malaysia’s goodwill.

       On an official capacity, the embassy had contributed funds to the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM) Group in Warsaw to help 109 orphans, aged between six and 11, from Zaporoze and Mariupol, many of them with disabilities, together with 34 women who are taking care of them.

       And since it is Ramadan, the embassy hosted a joint iftar (breaking of fast) on Tuesday with Fundacja Sakinah Europe, a charity foundation which is helping Muslim refugees from Ukraine.

       The foundation is hosting 20 Muslim refugees from Ukraine at the Muslim Care Malaysia Islamic Centre in Poland. The embassy, on its part, prepared the food for iftar.

       The Fundacja Sakinah Europe Foundation is the custodian of the centre that belongs to Muslim Care Malaysia in Poland.

       Another joint iftar will be organised at Wilanow Mosque on April 19, as the mosque has become a transit point for Muslim refugees from Ukraine, regardless of their nationalities, since the start of the conflict.

       “They have been collaborating with other NGOs to assist these refugees. Therefore, the joint iftar would provide the opportunity for the embassy to engage with the mosque and provide some cash contribution to assist with the coordination of these refugees,” she told The Star.

       Embassy staff have extended their help on a personal capacity as well.

       They provided funds to local organisations and foundations which were involved directly in preparing meals for the refugees at the border and refugee camps.

       Personally, Chitra Devi had also regularly contributed groceries as well as financial assistance to the Warsaw Seva Association.

       Since 2018, she has been the Patron of Warsaw Seva Association, a Sikh charity NGO, founded to provide charity in Warsaw to feed the homeless, as well as for the refugees in view of recent developments in Ukraine.

       The embassy said many organisations had contacted it for financial assistance or contributions in kind, which are under review.

       There are eight key centres receiving the Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw. These centres are managed and funded by local and district governments.

       So far, there have been generous food donors.

       The Malaysian embassy visited one of the refugee centres in which the coordinators had requested for essential items besides food.

       The other items urgently required are suitcases, trolley bags, blankets, detergent, children toys for both boys and girls, and prepaid petrol cards or financial support for volunteers.

       The embassy also noted that most of the Malaysians residing in Ukraine have already been evacuated.

       Currently, life in Poland remains normal although the inflation rate has gone up due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

       Chitra Devi lauded the efforts made by the Polish government and its people for their manner in welcoming the Ukrainian refugees.

       “It has been extremely admirable to witness how a nation has come together, transcending all social boundaries and political divide to single-mindedly render assistance to the Ukrainians.

       “The events of the past weeks in Poland have provided the impetus of reinforcing my faith in humanity.

       “Born out of love, compassion, kinship and common interest, I have witnessed what great humanitarian action people can achieve in such a short span of time,” she said.

       In a statement to The Star, the embassy said there are 250 Malaysians in Poland, comprising students, working expatriates, those married to Polish citizens, embassy staff and their dependents.

       “The biggest fear among Malaysians in Poland during the initial stage was the possibility of the conflict escalating and expanding to Poland.

       “At the start of Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine, many Malaysians had contacted the embassy for updates and evacuation plans.

       “Some parents, who were distressed by the burgeoning situation in the region and concerns for their children’s safety, also contacted the embassy to seek guidance,” said the embassy.

       It pointed out that it continues to have a close relation with the Malaysian community in Poland.

       “While the embassy was occupied with helping Malaysians in Ukraine to evacuate the country at the early stage of the invasion, we had assured the concerned Malaysians about their safety in Poland.

       “We provided them with the duty officer’s phone number that is available 24/7 in case of emergency.

       “The embassy website is used as a platform to provide updates on the latest news and information that can be easily accessed by the Malaysians.

       “We had established a WhatsApp group during the Covid-19 lockdown and the group is still maintained with new members in Poland invited to join as we share updates as required,” said the embassy.

       Poland, a country of 38 million people, has taken in nearly 2.6 million Ukrainian refugees, or 60% of the total exodus since the conflict began at the end of February.