Krakow shelter for Ukrainian women fights to survive as aid dries up

When Nastya Podorozhnya helped her sister and nieces flee Ukraine in the days before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, she saw Polish volunteers greet refugees with warmth. But she also noticed a danger: women accepting help from strangers could be vulnerable to traffickers.

That observation led her to found Martynka, a helpline and shelter in Krakow for female Ukrainian refugees escaping gender-based violence. Four years on, the organization is fighting to survive.

International funding that was plentiful in the early months of the war has dwindled as donors shift focus to other crises. At the same time, anti-Ukrainian rhetoric has grown in Poland, and the government has scaled back refugee support.

Martynka's shelter, a modest two-bedroom apartment in central Krakow, has hosted more than 100 women and children. Residents receive help escaping abusers, plus access to medical care, psychological support, jobs, and housing.

Podorozhnya says fundraising appeals now often draw online abuse. "It's because I'm Ukrainian," she said.

Around 3.5 million Ukrainians fled to Poland in the first weeks of the war. By the end of 2022, about 1 million remained, with most finding work. A Deloitte study estimated they contributed 2.7% of Poland's GDP in 2024.

But sentiment has shifted. Researchers point to the 2025 Polish presidential campaign as a turning point, with anti-Ukrainian themes becoming common across the political spectrum. Both leading candidates proposed policies prioritizing Poles over Ukrainians in public services and benefits.

Historical tensions have also resurfaced. In June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named a military unit after a paramilitary organization accused of massacring Poles during World War II, prompting outrage and a diplomatic rebuke.

Police data shows a rise in prejudice-motivated crimes against Ukrainians. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in late July that "we must wage war on violence and hatred."

The Polish government has cut refugee support, saying many have stabilized. The ombudsman warns the changes hit the most vulnerable hardest, including single mothers, older people, and those with disabilities.

International aid has also fallen sharply. UN refugee agency data shows only half of identified needs were financed this year, down from 94% in 2022.

Martynka received about 1,800 requests for help last year, and staff expect more. Calls now come not just from violence victims but also mothers struggling to feed their children.

"Martynka does the job of the Polish state," Podorozhnya said.