Humanitarian aid
Thanks to the commitment of specialized volunteers and modern equipment, the organization is ready for immediate response. The Polish Red Cross Humanitarian Assistance System provides aid to hundreds of thousands of people and effective actions in the most demanding situations!
O projekcie
The Polish Red Cross plays a significant role in humanitarian activities in Poland and around the world, supporting victims in crisis situations such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, technical failures and other emergencies. The Polish Red Cross operates through the Humanitarian Aid System, which includes organized aid groups that respond to current crises, support society in preparing for potential threats and help rebuild after disasters. In 2023, the Polish Red Cross intensified its activities in Poland and abroad, reaching hundreds of thousands of people in need.
We have allocated for those affected by the flood in Slovenia
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We have provided medical care for this many people
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Data for 2023.
Units of the Humanitarian Aid System
The key units within the Polish Red Cross Humanitarian Aid System are Humanitarian Aid Groups (GPH) and Humanitarian Support Groups (GWH). Currently, there are 3 Humanitarian Aid Groups in Poland (Lublin, Łódź, Zielona Góra) and 8 Humanitarian Support Groups (Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Kraków, Opole, Poznań, Rzeszów, Sopot, Warsaw), which currently gather nearly 200 specially trained volunteers, including specialists such as logisticians, psychologists, crisis interventionists, and humanitarian aid managers. In addition to the qualified team, these groups have high-quality equipment that enables them to effectively respond to various needs arising from crisis situations and to organize comprehensive assistance even in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Groups support those affected by disasters by providing shelter, material assistance, and psychosocial support. Become part of the team that helps in the most challenging moments!
For volunteers and members
The activities of the Polish Red Cross largely rely on the work of volunteers and members of the PCK - without them, we would not be able to reach such a vast number of people in need of assistance.
Tasks and activities of the groups:
The units of the Polish Red Cross Humanitarian Aid System, mobilized by civil protection authorities, play a key role in responding to crisis situations. Their activities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at supporting victims and ensuring basic needs in difficult conditions.
These versatile actions are carried out by highly qualified members of the Polish Red Cross humanitarian groups, which ensures their effectiveness and professionalism even in the most challenging situations.
Assessment of humanitarian and emergency needs
- Analysis of crisis situations,
- Tailoring assistance to the specific needs of individuals and regions.
Providing first aid and psychological support
- Medical assistance at the scene of events,
- Psychological care for victims of disasters, wars, and other crises.
Organization of temporary shelters
- Creating accommodation places for the injured,
- Providing technical infrastructure (e.g. heating, lighting),
- Maintaining appropriate hygienic conditions.
Evacuation of the population
- Support in the evacuation of endangered individuals,
- Assistance for people with disabilities and those who cannot move independently.
Distribution of Aid Resources
- Distribution of food and beverages,
- Provision of clothing and other essential items,
- Organization of logistics for the transport of donations.
Training and education in crisis response situations
- Organization of first aid courses,
- Demonstrations and instruction on safety procedures,
- Education on preparing emergency backpacks.
Scale of humanitarian actions by the Polish Red Cross
Since 2021, PCK volunteers in humanitarian groups have secured assistance for over 600,000 refugees, as well as carried out evacuations and support in Poland. They also supported PCK-organized collections, sorting and distributing hundreds of tons of clothing, food, and other items. They actively participated in numerous aid and evacuation activities, such as during the evacuation in Lublin, where nearly 14,000 people were evacuated in August 2023.
PCK humanitarian groups are capable of providing assistance wherever it is needed. The organization’s logistical capabilities enabled the transportation of dozens of tons of food and hygiene packages for residents of Slovenia within 24 hours, after a sudden flood struck in August 2023.
Volunteers in the PCK Humanitarian Assistance System are ready for great sacrifices – only on the first and second days of Christmas 2023 did they provide assistance to over 850 people at the Polish-Belarusian border. They ensured support for those waiting in line at the border crossing in Terespol, where blankets, sleeping bags, and food and sanitary kits were distributed.
The next test was the tragic flood in September 2024, when all units of the PCK Humanitarian Aid System supported efforts to mitigate its effects. Active actions in Opole, Lower Silesia, and Lubusz included not only organizing shelter points and caring for evacuated individuals but also redistributing collected aid donations. The role of PCK specialists was recognized – they were entrusted with coordinating the logistics of humanitarian aid for the Municipality of Stronie Śląskie, which was the most affected by the disaster.
Previous actions and professionalism have caused the PCK Humanitarian Aid System to become a particularly valued partner not only for rescue services but also for key civil protection authorities.
Exercises and preparations
The volunteers of humanitarian groups of the Polish Red Cross (PCK) continuously enhance their qualifications through training and exercises organized in cooperation with various PCK units (rescue groups) as well as rescue and public services (Fire Brigade, Police, State Medical Rescue, Military, Forest Guard, etc.). Annually, each volunteer undergoes about 10 diverse specialized trainings, covering topics such as: psychological first aid, warehouse logistics, operational procedures, creating and running temporary shelter points, etc. Members of PCK humanitarian groups have also participated in trainings on population protection mechanisms, organized in collaboration with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Since 2021, PCK humanitarian groups have participated in several joint exercises with other entities and services. These include, among others, DIADEM 2021 (Świnoujście-Heringsdorf), WOLF-RAM 2023 (Warsaw), the 1st Nationwide Gathering of Rescue System and Humanitarian Aid System Units PCK 2023 (Malczyce), the 2nd Nationwide Gathering of the PCK Humanitarian Aid System Units 2024 (Puławy-Końskowola), etc. The trust built among the authorities and civil protection entities leads to the increasing involvement of PCK humanitarian groups in the substantive organization of local and provincial exercises.
Results and reach of activities
In 2023, the Polish Red Cross allocated over 500,000 PLN for humanitarian aid to those affected by floods in Slovenia, providing food and hygiene products. Humanitarian transports to Ukraine included, among other things, 65 power generators for Ukrainian hospitals, ensuring medical care for approximately 400,000 people.
The Polish Red Cross collaborates with other humanitarian organizations, local authorities, rescue services, and international partners in its activities. All of these efforts allow the Polish Red Cross to effectively assist people in need, not only in Poland but also in other countries affected by humanitarian crises.
See our actions
Also see
Rescue Fund
Join the Rescue Fund and help victims of disasters in Poland and abroad! Your donation saves lives by providing assistance and educating how to act in a crisis. Every support builds safety - be part of the change!
Rescue
Providing assistance and rescuing people and property during emergencies, catastrophes or natural disasters is one of the main activities of the Polish Red Cross.
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