Martynka, a support organization founded in the early days of Russia’s invasion to assist female Ukrainian refugees fleeing gender-based violence, is struggling to maintain operations amid declining international funding and rising anti-Ukrainian hostility in Poland.
The organization, led by founder Nastya Podorozhnya, operates a shelter in Krakow that has served more than 100 women and children, providing assistance with escaping abusers, accessing medical and psychological care, and finding employment and housing. According to helpline worker Sonia Novytska, the organization received approximately 1,800 requests for help last year, with staff anticipating increased demand. Beyond victims of violence, the helpline now serves mothers struggling to meet basic needs for their children.
Poland initially welcomed the approximately 3.5 million Ukrainians who fled to the country in the war’s early weeks, with citizens offering shelter and the government providing refugees access to jobs and social benefits. However, sentiment has shifted significantly. Research indicates anti-Ukrainian rhetoric intensified during the 2025 presidential campaign across the political spectrum, with candidates proposing restrictions on Ukrainian access to public services and welfare benefits. Police data shows a substantial increase in prejudice-motivated crimes targeting Ukrainian citizens, with 180 victims recorded by mid-July compared to 275 for all of 2025 and 267 in 2024.
International donor funding has declined sharply since 2022, with U.N. refugee agency data showing only half of identified needs financed this year versus 94 percent in 2022. The Polish government has reduced support for Ukrainian refugees, arguing that many have stabilized their situations, though the ombudsman has cautioned that these cuts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including single mothers, elderly individuals, and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Podorozhnya reports that fundraising appeals for Martynka frequently trigger online abuse, which she attributes to anti-Ukrainian sentiment. She emphasizes that supporting the organization helps prevent homelessness and related social problems in Polish communities.
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