In Poland, the new government missed an opportunity to reform the asylum and reception system, instead deepening dangerous political rhetoric. The crisis narrative further normalizes a militarized response to people seeking safety in the EU.
What are the implications of the heightened crisis?
- MSF teams treated over 400 people stranded in uninhabitable forests since November 2022.
- Extreme conditions have led to severe medical issues like exhaustion, hypothermia, dehydration, trench foot, and mental health concerns.
- In 2024, a surge in physical assault cases, including bruises, dog bites, and injuries from rubber bullets, was observed.
How has the situation worsened for those seeking safety?
- Half of the people encountered by MSF in 2024 reported being pushed back multiple times.
- In June 2024, a ban on accessing the border zone hindered humanitarian aid efforts and assistance to those in need.
The escalation of hostility towards migrants and humanitarian workers in Poland poses significant challenges for those seeking safety and those providing assistance in the region.
Source: www.msf.org