Polish Red Cross for the aid of Ukrainian families separated by war

The activities of this sector of the Polish Red Cross stem from the Geneva Conventions on the protection of war victims of August 12, 1949. Searching is a long and very complicated process, even despite access to modern technology. Some missing persons sometimes have problems with awareness or suffer from memory loss due to traumatic experiences.

We operate in a very delicate area. We must conduct a series of interviews with people who often have tragic stories behind them. In our mission, we are meticulous, but an extremely important factor is also time – emphasizes Katarzyna Mikołajczyk, General Director of the Polish Red Cross.

Since the beginning of the armed conflict in Ukraine, the National Information and Search Bureau has received a total of 4,643 applications requesting the search for missing relatives. So far, KBiP PCK employees have managed to close 51 cases, and 222 applications are at the stage of further searches. In connection with the segment of activities, which is reconnecting families, the Polish Red Cross, with the support of PCK Rescue Groups, also organized 9 specialist transports across the border for persons with disabilities.

Since August 2022, KBiP has been using a Škoda car, provided free of charge by Volkswagen Financial Services. The car is an extremely useful support for KBiP PCK, as employees can reach those sought by their relatives faster and easier. They often stay in humanitarian aid centers or guarded centers for foreigners located throughout Poland, such as those in Lesznowola, Białystok, Krosno Odrzańskie, and Przemyśl.

The help in the form of a car that Volkswagen Financial Services has brought to us is invaluable support in our daily work. It also happens that people who are sought have lost contact with their family in dramatic circumstances. We want relatives to be able to see each other as soon as possible – adds Katarzyna Mikołajczyk.

We are full of respect and admiration for the activities of the National Information and Search Bureau of the Polish Red Cross. The effort, dedication, and commitment of its employees who provide assistance to families separated by war from Ukraine deserve the highest admiration and all possible support – says Mikołaj Woźniak, President of the Management Board of Volkswagen Financial Services.

The activity of KBiP PCK also includes training in restoring family ties for PCK District Branches, as well as for local institutions and organizations. The PCK Information and Search Bureau closely cooperates with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, specifically with the Office of the Central Search Agency concerning the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Work is also carried out together, among others, with the National Memory Institute, State Archives, Office for Foreigners, and embassies and consulates.