More than ten thousand Ukrainian refugees have already applied for help at the Temporary Support Centre for Refugees (TOWU) in Turawa Park (Opole, Poland). Just a few days ago TOWU signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Polish branch of the Red Cross.
“Focus Estate Fund has acquired Turawa Park at the end of 2021. This is the fourth shopping centre in the Fund's Polish portfolio. Within the first days of the war, the Fund has made a decision to organize a Centre for Refugees using an area of more than 9 thousand square meters. We relied on our own resources and the possible support of local residents. But, as a result, we have received a colossal wave of solidarity from a huge number of Opole residents, public organizations, local businesses, as well as humanitarian aid from countries such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. Now Turawa Park is the largest collection and distribution point for humanitarian aid in the region, and we are grateful to every volunteer, every local resident who joined our initiative,” Oksana Rakova, Head of Communications, Focus Estate Fund, commented.
According to Agnieszka Pyzanowicz-Francke, the director of Turawa Park S.C., "help in organizing a Centre where Polish people can help Ukrainians (mostly women and children) was our natural heartfelt appeal."
Refugees arrive in TOWU with their families, rest and receive the things they need, such as clothes, cosmetics, cleaning products, things for children, food, etc. On-site, they also find information on where to look for places for long-term accommodation prepared by the city authorities, general consulting services and psychological assistance or go to other European countries. Currently, the Centre receives from 300 to 1000 people a day, from 100 to 250 volunteers are involved daily.
At the same time, those refugees who have decided to stay in the Opolskie Voivodeship will be given the opportunity to find new work opportunities. On May 6th, the Polish-Ukrainian Fair of Professional Activism starts in Turawa Park S.C., where refugees will be able to meet potential employers.
