LONDON, United Kingdom — Poland is a country in Eastern Europe that used to be a part of the communist sphere of influence. Since those times, much has changed. While the country has never had the status of a major humanitarian donor, this may not remain the case for long. The country has become an increasingly active humanitarian player, with several significant NGOs operating across Africa, Europe, Asia and South America. Here is more information about Poland’s humanitarian aid.
From Recipient to Donor
Poland has had an impressive historical turnaround in terms of humanitarian aid. It once used to be a recipient itself. Four years after the fall of the USSR, Poland received $36 billion in international assistance. With its impressive economic recovery, the country’s humanitarian aid status changed, too. Poland’s donor history formally began in 2004 upon joining the European Union (EU), which required signing the “Strategy of the Republic of Poland’s Foreign Policy toward developing countries.”
Not long after, another major milestone was reached in 2013 when the country joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee, an elite group of the world’s largest donors. In 2022, the country reached its highest ODA level of $3.4 billion or 0.51% GNI, which was well above the EU target of 0.33%. This shows Poland’s quick and increased commitment to humanitarian aid.
Polish Humanitarian Action
The Polish Humanitarian Action (Polska Akcja Humanitarna or PAH) is a humanitarian NGO established in 1992. Janina Ochojska, a human rights activist from Gdańsk, started it. She was inspired to start the organization after observing the work of a French humanitarian organization Amitié Pologne during the martial law in communist Poland. Later, while working with them in besieged Sarajevo, she and PAH’s cofounders concluded that humanitarian aid should not be driven by impulsive reactions but delivered in a long-term, transparent and professional manner.
In its 30 years of operation, PAH has become a major player in Polish humanitarian aid, reaching two million people across 11 countries in 2022. Over its lifespan, it has supported 15 million people in need across 51 countries. While PAH currently prioritizes crisis response, it also emphasizes long-term solutions. Some of its ongoing projects include multisectoral assistance in South Sudan and Ukraine, as well as emergency aid in Palestine.
The story of PAH shows the amazing chain reaction started by an aid organization in the ’80s during the martial law in Poland. Pologne inspired the first Polish humanitarian aid convoy, later becoming one of the most impactful Polish humanitarian organizations.
Polish Medical Mission
The Polish Medical Mission (Polska Misja Medyczna or PMM) is one of the few Polish NGOs specializing in medical care. Its work focuses on areas most in need and is intended to have long-term consequences. PMM’s society-changing impact is rooted in the education of local medics, as well as the provision of adequate medical equipment. PMM intends to make its recipients more independent so that beneficiaries will be ready to respond to potential crises.
Just like PAH, the organization began with an impulsive aid convoy, this time sent to Kosovo in 1999. PMM’s first mission made it realize how impactful its work could be with the right equipment and the right people. Since then, the charity has provided crucial medical assistance to countries around the world, including Iran, Indonesia, Uganda, Haiti and many others.
In 2024, PMM reported conducting 100 medical consultations in Ukraine, educating more than 70 people in Senegal about proper nutrition and delivering aid to around 190 people in Palestine. Its current programs include the Mother and Child project, designed to improve maternal health in developing nations; the Fight Against Hunger project, which aims to combat severe malnutrition, especially among children; and the Medical Volunteership project, which recruits specialists to support countries with limited health care access.
Caritas Poland
Caritas Poland is one of the longest-operating Polish humanitarian aid organizations. It traces its roots back to the ’20s when it first began operating in the country. However, its activities were suspended for around 40 years under communist rule. It wasn’t until 1990 that Caritas Poland resumed operations. The nature of its work has changed significantly since then: before the suspension, it focused primarily on Poland, whereas today, it is also heavily involved in international aid.
Caritas Poland’s first global efforts began in Croatia during the Balkan War, similar to the two previous organizations. At that time, its operations were short-term, whereas today it focuses on long-term solutions. Caritas’ outreach within Poland is extensive, with around 60,000 volunteers, 20,000 employees and 1,600 facilities nationwide.
In 2023 alone, the organization spent roughly $73.4 million on aid efforts both internationally and within vulnerable communities in Poland. Grant Thornton, an international audit company, recognized Caritas Polska as the most accountable public benefit organization in the country. Caritas Poland’s operations span internationally, reaching countries such as Palestine, Venezuela, Ukraine, Yemen, Kazakhstan and Madagascar.
Father Adam Brodzik, one of the missionaries working in Madagascar, has spent more than five years on the ground. Having lived in the country for an extended period, he expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved. After helping install solar panels at a rural school, he said, “Now no cyclone will destroy the school, because it is brick and the children will have continuity of education.” He added proudly, “Installing the panels and getting electricity was a major event.”
Conclusion
From recipient to donor, Polish humanitarian aid and its evolution is a story of solidarity and resilience. PAH, PMM and Caritas Poland embody this spirit and help pass these values onto populations in underserved places. What was once a country relying on international aid only 30 years ago is becoming a major donor, showing how help inspires help and provides hope for aid efforts worldwide.
– Karol Hejduk
Karol is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Image: Wikimedia Commons