Discrimination and Fear Drive Ukrainian Women to Leave Poland for Spain and Albania

Ukrainians Leaving Poland Amid Rising Discrimination

According to ХВИЛЯ: Many Ukrainian women who have spent several years in Poland are relocating to Spain and Albania due to increasing fears of discrimination and concerns about the war spreading. The number of Ukrainians under temporary protection in Poland has declined for the second consecutive month, dropping by 6,335 in June 2023 and by 8,110 in July. Since July 2022, the total reduction has reached 40,000 individuals under this status.

According to recent data, 51% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland hope to return home, while 8% plan to move to other countries. However, nearly one-third have experienced discrimination based on their nationality, and one in five has faced bias due to speaking Ukrainian. Lyudmyla Kurko, who moved to Poland from Kyiv in 2022 with her two daughters, shared her family’s struggles with discrimination.

'When my mother took public transport home from work, she avoided speaking to me on the phone because some Poles would glare at her when they heard Ukrainian spoken.' Lyudmyla Kurko

Lyudmyla also recounted an attack on her daughter near Warsaw in Zielonka, where drunken Polish men over 30 years old caused her injuries. 'One woman snatched my daughter’s phone and struck her in the face with it,' she explained. Following these incidents, the family decided to move to Spain, where they already owned a property near Valencia.

Relocation to Albania Offers a Safer Alternative

Another Ukrainian, Alona Lytvyn, left Poland for Albania two months ago. She arrived in Poland in 2023 with her infant and rented accommodation near Poznań. While managing a Ukrainian online store remotely, she faced harassment from locals.

'Once, while walking down the street and speaking Ukrainian on the phone, a stranger began following me and shouted for me to go back to Ukraine.' Alona Lytvyn

Ukrainians in Albania report experiencing less xenophobia. Renting a two-bedroom apartment there costs around €500 monthly, compared to €800 in Poland, while utilities run about €50 per month. However, in Spain, Ukrainians need new documentation for legal residency, including the 'Reserve+' app and proof of legal border crossing. Many applicants for temporary protection in Spain face refusals, and without remote work skills, finding employment can be challenging.

Despite these challenges, Poles in 22 cities have protested attacks on Ukrainians, revealing divided public opinion towards refugees. 'Living in constant fear-both of the war and local xenophobic attacks-has become unbearable,' Alona Lytvyn summarized, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for her children.

The decline in Ukrainians under temporary protection in Poland and their migration to Spain and Albania highlights serious social issues confronting refugees. Discrimination tied to nationality and language, along with threats of violence, have created difficult living conditions in Poland. Meanwhile, countries like Albania present more welcoming environments, though hurdles remain in legalizing status and securing jobs.

The ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Poland are contributing to a notable decline in remittances sent back home. As many individuals seek safer environments in countries like Spain and Albania, the overall financial support to Ukraine has decreased, with remittances dropping to $7.9 billion. This shift highlights the broader implications of displacement and the need for understanding the financial dynamics at play. For more insights on this trend, see how Ukrainians are increasingly leaving money abroad.