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As you strategy the Medyka crossing, the place Poland meets Ukraine, you see the clues – indicators that the world has modified.
For a begin, there are straggles of individuals wandering alongside the highway. For an additional, the sirens of police automobiles and ambulances sound out usually.
Nevertheless it’s as you get nearer that you just actually discover issues.
The border remark level that looms up; the signal that welcome individuals to the European Union, and that creeping sense that this space is starting to appear to be a refugee camp.
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There are well-meaning volunteers, piles of donations sitting in a pile and, throughout us, drained, bewildered individuals.
And, virtually with out exception, they’re girls and kids. There are many males at Medyka, however they have not come from Ukraine.
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They’re charity employees, or taxi drivers, or journalists. A number of them are relations, who left Ukraine beforehand to dwell in Poland and now come again to the border crossing to gather moms, sisters, grandmothers, and even daughters.
Ola is sitting to the facet, weary. She has simply walked over the border, accompanied by her sister and by their 5 youngsters. They’d left the Ukrainian metropolis of Lviv and pushed collectively in the direction of the border.
After they discovered a queue, going again 20km, they deserted their automobile and easily walked to Poland as an alternative.
And, like so lots of the others making that journey, they crossed the border with little greater than the garments they had been sporting.
“It was exhausting, and we’re not planning at this level. We fled as a result of it was too scary there,” stated Ola.
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In accordance with the border guards, the queues now snake 40km again into Ukraine. They advised us that somebody becoming a member of the again of that line now might find yourself ready as much as 60 hours to cross the border into Poland.
Think about that – two and a half days in a queue, whereas battle will get ever nearer to you, with the intention to flee your nation.
Like refugee camps around the globe, Medyka has that twin persona – without delay it appears like a sanctuary, however it’s additionally a spot that no one needs to be.
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A couple of miles away, we meet Tanita on the railway station in Przemysl. She had fled Lviv that day along with her youngsters, and now sits in a hastily-arranged shelter within the station.
Camp beds are organized round a transformed ready room and, as we chat, a kindly lady in army uniform comes spherical, providing gentle toys to the kids.
“We heard the sirens and I known as my mum, however my cellphone wasn’t working,” she stated.
“I used to be sheltering within the basement, however it felt harmful. My husband stated, ‘it is advisable save our kids as a result of in case you keep downstairs, it is not protected’.”
“I really feel offended,” stated Tanita. “I dwell a lifetime of security after which at some point, they begin a giant battle.
“And politicians must keep in mind that this is not nearly Ukraine. It is going to be going in every single place due to a loopy man who needs to combat in every single place, and everybody.”
Round us, the hubbub goes on. Arrivals are being supplied meals, lifts, lodging, and help.
The Poles promised to welcome each Ukrainian and, up to now, they’re being good to their phrase. However these individuals did not need to depart Ukraine.
A day or two in the past, they had been at house; now they’re refugees.
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