The article, first published by the National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM) project, explores the challenges faced by refugees in Warsaw and Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in terms of access to services. A full version of the article is available on the NIEM website here.

The description below is based on data and information gathered from local Warsaw NGOs and institutions during the time of the most restrictive anti-coronavirus measures, March-May 2020. [...] Warsaw and its metropolitan area are very specific – with the highest numbers of recognised beneficiaries of international protection, a relatively good (in comparison to other localities in the country) range of NGOs and institutions that can provide services for them. 

The first challenge, probably not visible for asylum seekers and refugees themselves, [...] was the lack of established mechanism of gathering information about their situation. [...] 

The Warsaw Public Dialogue Committee for Foreigners cooperated with the municipality to gather data about the situation of migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, and their needs during the pandemic. The committee is one of the advisory bodies to the municipality. It consists of about 30 local NGOs and non-formal initiatives representing and working on behalf of migrants, as well as representatives of the municipality [...] The following challenges were revealed:

Access to asylum and administrative procedures

[...] As soon as all administrative offices suspended face-to-face assistance due to the anti-COVID-19 measures, migrants faced challenges in obtaining information about their pending procedures. The right to apply for international protection was also limited [...] 

Access to integration programmes and social benefits

[For a time], it was unclear how to run the Individual Integration Programme (IIP), a 12-month public assistance programme for recognised refugees, as practices as the carrying out of individual interviews or the submission of original documents could no longer take place. In addition, according to the law, as soon as a person obtains refugee status, they are entitled to short-term financial support but cannot reside in migrant centres for longer than one month. Organisations highlighted that the inability to meet the requirements of the integration programme could lead to homelessness. While the IIP procedures were not formally changed, the risks were averted thanks to the Anti-crisis Shield Act 3.0 - a government regulation which extended all assistance programmes refuges have been entitled to during their asylum procedures until the 30th day following the date of revocation of the pandemic or an epidemiological risk. [...]

(Un)employment

Restrictions introduced as a result of the pandemic have created uncertainty for migrant workers, including refugees. Those with jobs in the services sector were most affected by restrictions against the coronavirus. People employed under civil law contracts (a frequent practice in the services sector) did not have sufficient protection of their rights. [...] Many migrants have lost their livelihoods or their income has been significantly reduced. [...]

Psychological ramifications and access to help

The situation of uncertainty, the loss of the sense of security, and the fear for the deteriorating economic and living situation of their families had a huge impact on the mental health of refugees. Organisations providing various types of support services have noted the changing needs of refugees, with the need for psychological and emotional relief growing. Unfortunately, access to psychological support in the native languages of  refugees and other migrant groups is limited (especially in terms of free, publicly-funded services), and is mostly provided by NGOs (except some limited access to psychologists provided by the Office for Foreigners in centres for asylum seekers). 

Coronavirus in the Warsaw centre for asylum seekers and access to health services 

Other example of the wide-range commitment and engagement of NGOs, the Office for Foreigners, social workers and private donors transpired in relation to the coronavirus outbreak in the centre for migrant women and children in Warsaw - the only centre where COVID-19 cases were found. In the beginning of quarantine, due to the conditions in the facility, healthy residents were quarantined together with those who had tested positively, which in turn spurred protests among the migrant women. Although information, as well as medical and psychological assistance were provided by the state and NGOs, the compulsory quarantine affected negatively the residents, especially women who had previously spent time in detention. 

Domestic violence

Fears and signals that forced isolation within the household could bring about an increase in domestic violence, especially against women and children, were also recorded. As a response, the municipality prepared multilingual materials in English and Russian informing about the support available to persons who have become victims of violence. 

Digital and language exclusion

The health crisis also highlighted the digital exclusion of migrants. As soon as the majority of administrative, medical or psychological services became available only online, many were not able to access information or help. Social organisations took it on themselves to help walk migrants through the digital procedures and forms. 

The pandemic also revealed the lack of multilingual information policies of institutions on different levels. This caused an information chaos among different groups of migrants, especially regarding administrative procedures, but also made it harder to provide clear messages about the anti-pandemic measures. In case of Warsaw, content about coronavirus pandemic was added to the official municipal website in Russian and Ukrainian weeks after the measures took effect. [...]
 
Access to education 

Another example of the digital exclusion of migrants were the challenges faced by refugee children continuing their compulsory schooling online. The lack or scarce access to computer equipment (especially within larger refugee families), and the often-weak internet connections are one side of the problem. Thanks to monetary and technical equipment donations organised by some NGOs, it was possible to an extent to ensure the access to classes for some of the children. But the access to education was also affected by the insufficient adjustment of schools to the specific needs of children and families with migrant background. [...]

The pandemic has shown the key role of intercultural assistants in providing access to education for children with a migrant background.