Two years after the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine, many people around the world have become accustomed to it as a permanent part of everyday life. Unfortunately, this feeling has led to a significant reduction in aid, including humanitarian assistance delivered to Ukraine. In the first months of the war, help was spontaneous and on a vast scale. Widespread enthusiasm and solidarity with the people of Ukraine fighting for their country meant that funds flowed in from around the world. The same was true among partner Rotary clubs worldwide. As Poland was the neighbouring country close to the front line, we in Poland were best placed to organise this support.

Like all clubs in Poland, the Rotary Warszawa City club has been involved in helping since the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine, both by providing humanitarian aid within Ukraine and by organising assistance for refugees from Ukraine in Poland. By June 2023, the value of material aid alone had exceeded €700,000.

What a Gala it was!

On 10 December 2022, the Rotary Warszawa City club invited guests to the five-star Regent Hotel in Warsaw for its annual Rotary Christmas Tree Gala, which for twenty-six years has held an established place in the Rotary calendar of District 2231’s most important events.

To give children a sense of security after their traumatic experiences and enable them to look to the future with hope, we helped RC City of Lakes in Minnesota arrange travel through Warsaw for Ukrainian pupils who will spend a year studying at selected schools in Minneapolis.