Mateusz Morawiecki made the statement during a meeting with provincial governors and local government officials to discuss support for people displaced by the war in Ukraine, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
“This group of refugees is of great benefit to the Polish economy … They will be working for Poland, as well ... but they need our support in the first few weeks,” Morawiecki said.
Millions for local governments
Morawiecki thanked local governments for cooperating with the central authorities to help refugees “regardless of political affiliations.”
“I am very grateful and buoyed by how we are working together,” he said, mentioning a system for providing Ukrainians with the PESEL national identification numbers, where “central and local officials are working side by side.”
“As promised, we have already provided local governments with more than PLN 500 million (EUR 108 million) in funding for refugee support,” Morawiecki added.
He gave assurances that his Cabinet would continue to assist local governments in providing refugees with “education, healthcare and various public services.”
A positive view of Poland
Morawiecki told the gathering: “Let’s not spoil this collaborative atmosphere because something really beautiful is emerging.”
He added that Poland’s extensive support for refugees from Ukraine was enhancing the country’s image internationally.
“We have a unique chance to consolidate a positive image for our nation, our society, around the world,” he told those at the meeting.
He also said that this “wonderful view of Poland, full of admiration and gratitude” could “pay dividends for decades to come.”
Thursday was day 43 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Poland on Thursday reported it had welcomed nearly 2.55 million refugees fleeing Russia's attack on Ukraine.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda last month signed into law a measure to offer wide-ranging support to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion of their country.
The measure grants them legal residence in Poland and ensures access to education, healthcare and social benefits.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP