Warsaw, Poland, 9 September 2024 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the City of Warsaw are pleased to announce the official opening of the largest collective accommodation centre in Warsaw,   

Over two and a half years since the full-scale war in Ukraine triggered one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II, there are still 34,000 refugees currently living in collective centres in Poland, according to the Ministry of Interior and Administration’s records of middle of August.  

While many shelters have closed due to limited funding, IOM worked with the Municipality of Warsaw to renovate an old office building and transform it into a collective accommodation centre that provides 250 refugees with renovated bedrooms, kitchens and social gathering areas (including a child friendly space). On the ground floor, an integration centre for refugees, migrants, and local community members acts as a hub for labour market and social inclusion, through language courses, cultural activities, and psychosocial support. 

“At IOM Poland, the vision behind the Ogrodowa Collective Center was to create an inclusive space, so that refugees from Ukraine, migrants but also other vulnerable persons, irrespective of gender, age or nationality, would feel welcomed,” said Lívia Styp-Rekowska, IOM Poland Chief of Mission. 

Thanks to a private sector partnership with IKEA Retail Poland, the new residents have been provided with kitchen sets and furniture. Volunteers from IKEA Poland came together to assemble a total of 1,150 pieces of donated products and items.  

“We hope that these new additions will significantly enhance the quality of life for the new residents: mothers with children, men, the elderly, and people with disabilities, providing them with comfortable and welcoming environments to gather, dine, and integrate.” says Marina Dubakina, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Security Officer of IKEA Retail. 

IOM has handed the keys of the collective centre to the Warsaw Family Assistance Centre (WCPR), which will manage the centre. Agnieszka Patela-Owczarczyk, Director of WCPR, explained the significance of the opening of the new collective centre. “We joined forces with IOM to create a safe space and it is inspiring to see that the new residents feel at home. In total, over 130 women, 30 men and 90 children have moved to the renovated facility, from several regions of Ukraine.” 

The building is designed to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Tactile Ground Surface Indicators have been installed along key passageways to allow visually impaired individuals to understand their exact location within the building. Platform and stair-climbing devices at the entrances provide easy access for wheelchair users and persons with limited mobility, ensuring that they can enter and exit the building. 

 The official opening event will take place on Monday, 9 September 2024 from 3:00-5:00pm, at 28/30 Ogrodowa in Warsaw, and will include remarks by Ambassadors from donor governments, government officials, and representatives from the humanitarian community.  

The project would not have been possible without the generous contributions from the governments of the United States of America, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Municipality of Warsaw and IKEA Retail Poland.

For more information contact 

Ewelina Kawczynska, Public Information Coordinator - IOM Poland:  ekawczynska@iom.int, +48 789 739 664.