News

Street papers unite in solidarity and support of those fleeing Ukraine after invasion

Street papers in Eastern Europe and around the world are standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Anti-government protests in Kiev

Protests in Ukraine in 2013 led to the revolution which deposed President Yanukovych. Tensions with Russia have been unstable ever since. (Photo by maksymenko oleksandr/NurPhoto)

As Russia invades Ukraine, street papers in Eastern Europe and around the world are standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people’s right to democracy and in support of all those who may flee.

More than a million people may leave Ukraine to seek refuge in neighbouring nations like Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, according to Reuters. High levels of poverty, unemployment, homelessness and displacement in the country mean people were already struggling to live and access basic needs.

The International Network of Street Papers has said it is “deeply concerned for these vulnerable communities, the innocent lives under threat and the humanitarian crisis unfolding alongside the conflict”.

“We are horrified and moved by the situation in Ukraine,” said Dagmara Szlandrowicz of Gazeta Uliczna in Poland. “Suddenly, we witnessed the beginning of a new war and the violation of peace or a sense of security. Today we express our solidarity, friendship and fraternity with the people of Ukraine. We will organise possible forms of help and support. We are with you.”

Patrycja Zenker, the Polish street paper’s editor-in-chief, added: “Despite the information that Russia was planning to attack Ukraine, many of us did not believe that it was possible in the modern world. We conjured up reality, believing in historical memory, in diplomacy, in reason. Therefore, the war that began today came as a surprise to us.

“Many Ukrainians live and work in Poland – they did not come to it as war refugees. Most of them came to a pre-arranged job. Today, the situation has changed dramatically – we expect that those people who are already in Poland will be joined by their families, that from the areas attacked by Russia, their inhabitants will get to the west of Ukraine and to the Polish border. We know that many of them do not have passports, so it will not be possible to legally cross the border and stay. We are waiting for the position of the Polish authorities and the relevant regulations.

“Many organizations offer support in the form of translators, places for short-term residence, legal advice, psychological support. We display Ukrainian flags at our headquarters, wear them on our hearts and on our photos on social media profiles. We look for reliable sources of information and share them. That’s all we can do today.”

Courtesy of the International Network of Street Papers

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Water bills are going up in April 2024. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
Cost of living crisis

Water bills are going up in April 2024. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on
social care/ abbie bowler
Social care

Care worker faced homelessness as low pay left her with 'nothing' to fall back on

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know