We have just held another meeting of the Task Force on Regional Migration Policy, this time conducted online.
The meeting was inaugurated by the Chair of the Task Force – Member of the Board of the Pomeranian Voivodeship – Ms. Agnieszka Kapała-Sokalska.
The main topic of today’s meeting was the activities of international organizations supporting refugees from Ukraine residing in Poland, particularly in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. We heard presentations from the following representatives:
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UNHCR Poland – Kevin J. Allen, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Poland, and Katarzyna Oyrzanowska, Government Cooperation Specialist in the field of legal protection of refugees and their integration in Poland. They presented the multi-sector activities of #UNHCR Poland, focusing on ensuring access to legal protection, assisting the most vulnerable refugee groups, and promoting their socio-economic inclusion;
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International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) – Roman Makukha, Project Manager responsible for migration dialogue and cooperation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia on behalf of #ICMPD. He introduced the organization’s initiatives aimed at strengthening and restoring Ukrainian migration and consular management by enhancing the capacity of national authorities to ensure safe international mobility for Ukrainian citizens, including preparation for permanent return, which will soon be launched in our region;
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Danish Refugee Council (DRC) – Anna Szlendak and Agnieszka Labenz, representatives of #DRC, focused their presentations on two forms of support provided by the organization: building the capacity of teams managing collective accommodation centers and supporting their residents, as well as integration activities, which in Pomerania primarily take place at the Gdynia Community Center.
The meeting also highlighted activities carried out under the cooperation of Tricity cities with UNICEF. Projects from the respective cities were presented by:
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Michał Guć – Deputy Mayor of Gdynia for Innovation
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Karol Gzyl – Vice President of the Board of the Gdańsk Foundation
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Dr. Eng. Sylwia Badowska – representative of the Department of City Development Strategy, Sopot City Hall
A very important topic discussed was the changes concerning the organization of funding for assistance to Ukrainian citizens residing in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, based on Article 12 of the Act of 12 March 2022 on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in connection with the armed conflict in that country (the Ukrainian Special Act), which was presented in detail by Roman Słowiński – Deputy Director of the Department of Security and Crisis Management.
The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for 5 April 2023.
