Ukraine Refugee Relief Operation 2022
NATAN medical and trauma care teams on the ground at the Poland-Ukraine border.
Feb. 2023: It has now been one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As of today there are an estimated 6 million internally displaced people in Ukraine. Nearly 8 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded in neighboring countries and across Europe. Approximately 17.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023.
From the initial Russian invasion and throughout 2022, NATAN provided medical and psychological aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. March 1: NATAN’s Team 1 flew to the Poland-Ukraine border. NATAN was chosen by the Polish Red Cross to manage the medical clinic at an abandoned Tesco shopping mall which was repurposed and renamed: Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center. This location became one of the largest refugee transit centers in Poland in 2022. From March through the end of August, NATAN took charge of 24/7 staffing, sharing shifts with partner organizations. NATAN provided both primary medical care and psychosocial/trauma intervention. In all 15 delegations of NATAN volunteers participated: 54 social workers, 41 doctors, 35 nurses, and 16 logistics experts from Israel and abroad - 200 professionals in all. More than 30,000 refugees received direct care, while many others benefited from our support. NATAN also trained Ukrainian frontline caregivers and ran a summer camp for Ukrainian children in July-August. NATAN received official recognition from the Polish Red Cross and local authorities for its swift, consistent and professional management of refugee needs in Przemysl.
NOTE: As with every NATAN relief operation, we take pains to ensure the privacy of all individuals. For that reason, you will not see patients’ faces in photos of our field clinics. You will notice that our doctors, nurses, social workers meet patients and clients one-to-one or in small family groups, behind screens or partitions wherever possible. Protecting human dignity is one of our organization’s core principles.
The Ukraine Refugee Crisis
The majority of Ukrainian refugees are fleeing to Poland.
Ukrainian refugees enter Poland. Photo by Oded Regev, NATAN Head of Mission
Refugees arriving at the Poland - Medyka, Ukraine border
Ukrainian refugees who have just crossed the Poland - Ukraine border
Ukrainian refugees at Przemysl train station in Poland
Ukrainian refugees walking to Przemysl train station in Poland
Ukrainian refugees at Przemysl train station in Poland
Hot food awaits Ukrainian refugees who arrive by bus and train
Ukrainian refugees arriving at the border crossing: Village of Medyka, Poland
Ukrainian refugees arriving at the border crossing: Village of Medyka, Poland
Ukrainian refugees arriving at the border crossing: Village of Medyka, Poland
Ukrainian refugees on their way to border entry station: Village of Medyka, Poland
Ukrainian refugees arriving at the Medyka border crossing
Ukrainian refugees arriving at the Medyka border crossing
Donated food, clothing and baby supplies await Ukrainian refugees arriving at the Medyka border crossing
The Ukraine Operation in Numbers
Ukraine Refugee Relief Operation: March - August, 2022
Since the beginning of the operation, NATAN has deployed 15 teams of volunteers including: 41 MDs, 54 Social Workers, 35 nurses, 3 Medical clowns, 16 logistics managers, and 1 pharmacist. A total of 188 professionals.
In the 24/7 medical clinic, during NATAN shifts, approximately 20,000 patients received medical treatment since the beginning of the operation. Average number of patients seen per day: 120. ( These figures include only the patients met and registered, by the NATAN teams). We have no precise count of the thousands of mothers and children met by NATAN’s social workers.
Some of the initiatives:
The creation and operation of the secured playground for children and their mothers
Instruction and guidance of Polish volunteers and the creation of a Women’s Care Corner
Medical Help (MDs) to the Rescuers Without Borders (SSF) organization on the Medyka Border.
Psychosocial guidance to Cadena in their Children’s Center (Korczowa transit center)
Operation of a second medical clinic on the border for one week (at request of the Polish Red Cross)
Creation of a Youth Center where refugee teens were encouraged to volunteer, take ownership and manage the area
Support to our local partner Folkowisko Association, by providing them an ambulance and bullet-proof vests to operate inside Ukraine, purchasing baby formula and basic food supplies which were transported inside Ukraine
Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
Map showing town of Przemysl, Poland - 20 km from Medyka border crossing
An abandoned shopping mall has been repurposed to serve as a refugee center: now officially named Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland, where NATAN teams are deployed. The mall was previously owned by Tesco PLC, hence its nickname: Tesco Center.
Refugees at the Intake Center in Przemysl, Poland
Refugees temporarily housed at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland
Ukrainian Refugees arrive at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland
Refugees temporarily housed at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland
A NATAN volunteer at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
NATAN team members sign in as official volunteers at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland
NATAN team members at Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center in Przemysl, Poland
Checking supplies at NATAN's 'pharmacy' inside the first aid clinic in Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
NATAN's medical team is deployed at the first aid clinic in Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
The first aid clinic in Przemysl Humanitarian Aid Center
A map shows where arriving refugees can find registration and transportation to destinations outside of Poland
Przemysl Train Station
Read the story of Tasha Karliuka
I could not stay on the sidelines
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I could not stay on the sidelines •
NATAN’s Refugee Relief Operation - Background
The refugee relief operation is expected to continue for three months, with volunteers rotating in and out of the country every few weeks. Since the invasion, NATAN has been flooded with requests from people all over the world who want to volunteer. Certified professionals in the fields of medicine and psycho-social aid are interviewed and, if found suitable, allocated to one of the teams which will be deployed over the coming months.
Our team is deployed inside an abandoned shopping mall which has been repurposed to serve as a refugee intake center. The center is nicknamed “Tesco” - the name of the retailer formerly occupying the premises. Inside there is a makeshift clinic, sleeping and eating areas, and an indoor playground. The play area was set up by NATAN's social workers, whose mission is to provide trauma intervention and psychological care for the arriving refugees.
NATAN operates the play area together with volunteers from the Hashomer Hatzair Movement.
NATAN's medical team provide medical aid in the small clinic, working closely with the volunteers of the Polish Red Cross. Dr. Dorit Nitzan said. “We aim to be wherever we are needed for as long as we are needed.”
Send in the Clowns!
NATAN teams also included medical clowns to soothe and entertain troubled children and adults alike. Laughter is the best medicine.
Team 1 - Deployed March 3 - 15
NATAN's first team departs for Poland March 3, 2022
Dr. Albina Rotshtein treats an infant at the refugee center clinic
NATAN medical team working with Polish Red Cross to aid incoming patient
Dr. Dorit Nitzan explains current situation to Austrian MP Ewa Ernst Dziedzic
NATAN Social Worker Rada Rosler Davidov comforts a child at the refugee center clinic
NATAN team receive briefing from local volunteers at a border crossing point
Team 1 Logistics Manager Udi Cohen briefs visiting Austrian MP Ewa Ernst Dziedzic
NATAN Team Logistics Manager Udi Cohen briefing members of Israel Foreign Ministry on fact-finding visit to the site
NATAN Team 1 RN Alex Lubashevski
NATAN Dr. Dorit Nitzan
MDs Dr Sharon Shaul and Dr Albina Rotshtein
Social Worker Rada Rosler Davidov and Logistics Manager Udi Cohen
Social Workers Rada Rosler Davidov and Naama Shilo
NATAN and Hashomer Hatzair volunteers dance with children in the refugee center
NATAN RN Alex Lubashevski comforts an infant at the refugee center clinic
Dr Sharon Shaul examines an infant at the refugee center clinic
Dr Albina Rotshtein treating an infant at the refugee center clinic
NATAN doctors Dorit Nitzan and Albina Rotshtein
Dr Sharon Shaul helping a mother and child at the refugee center clinic
Dr. Dorit Nitzan at border crossing - Poland-Ukraine border
NATAN team members receive briefing at Poland-Ukraine border
Refugee children during daily activity run by NATAN and Hashomer Hatzair volunteers
NATAN Team members: Mike Attinson, Dr. Sharon Shaul, Dr. Albina Rotshtein, Dr. Dorit Nizan, RN Alex Lubashevski, MSW Rada Rosler Davidov, Udi Cohen
After their shift in the clinic, NATAN doctors pitch in making sandwiches for arriving refugees
The superwomen of NATAN Team 1 - L-R: Dr. Sharon Shaul, MSW Naama Shilo, Dr. Albina Rotshtein, MSW Rada Rosler Davidov, Dr. Dorit Nitzan
Team 2 - Deployed March 13 - 26
Team 2 departs for Poland.
L-R: Dr. Ronny Edelshtein, RN Elena Donchik, Dr. Dan Sela, RN Liana Sholomovich
Dr. Iryna Beylin and a colleague treat an infant at the refugee center clinic
Social Worker Olla Stepchenko at the refugee center
Dr Iryna Beylin checks supplies at the refugee center clinic
Social Worker Svetlana Buza in the children's play area at the refugee center
Dr Avery Hart (left) and Dr David Shapiro at the refugee center clinic
Children at the refugee center Purim party
Child at the refugee center Purim party
Children at the refugee center Purim party
Children at the refugee center Purim party
Passing out hamantaschen pastries at the refugee center Purim party
Volunteer from JRoots Journeys delivers hamantaschen pastries for the refugee center Purim party
Passing out hamantaschen pastries at the refugee center Purim party
RN Elena Donchik listens to a refugee singing a Ukrainian song in praise of Jerusalem
NATAN RN Elena Donchik (left) and Dr. Ronny Edelshtein (center) with Polish Red Cross volunteers
Social Worker Olla Stepchenko during activity in the children's play area
L-R: RN Liana Sholomovich, Dr. Iryna Beylin, Dr. Dan Sela with roses presented to them by Polish volunteers
Dr Iryna Beylin with party favors at the refugee center Purim party
RN Elena Donchik at the refugee center clinic
Dr Avery Hart speaks with a patient at the refugee center clinic
Dr David Shapiro at the refugee center clinic
Social Worker Svetlana Buza leads resilience training and respite activity for medical staff
Social Worker Svetlana Buza leads resilience training and respite activity for medical staff
Dr Avery Hart consults with a Red Cross volunteer
Team 3 - Deployed March 24 - April 5, 2022
Team 4 - Deployed April 4 - 19, 2022
Team 5 - Deployed April 17 - May 1, 2022
Team 5 at Ben Gurion Airport before departure for Poland - Head of Mission: Yoav Ben Bashat, MD Pavla Elami Suzin Shpinar, MD Drorit Shleffstein-Attias, RN Natalia Sandler , RN Natalia Povar, Social Workers: Anna Raim, Natasha Lamdan, Einat Fridlender, Tamar Orbach Avni and Mily Millionschik. Missing from photo: Professor Yori Gidron, MD
NATAN Social Worker Jenny Kelner bids farewell to one of the refugees she worked with at Przemysl Refugee Center.
Prof. Yori Gidron providing training on biofeedback and neuromodulation
A NATAN nurse outside the Humanitarian Center in Przemysl Poland
NATAN Social Worker Anna Reim with a child at the refugee center
NATAN Nurse Natali Sinchuk Power leading a children's yoga session at the refugee center
NATAN Nurse Natali Sinchuk Power leading a women's yoga session at the refugee center
Prof. Yori Gidron, Dr. Valeria Zayats, NATAN Nurse Natali Sinchuk Power and Dr. Pavla Shpinar at the clinic in Przemysl
Collaboration between NATAN and NGO Tel Lviv
NATAN Social Worker Einat Fridlender comforts a child at the refugee center
NATAN Nurse Natalia Sandlar uses picture card to communicate with a child at the refugee center
Train the trainer session for volunteers
NATAN MD Pavla Shpinar takes delivery of wheelchairs donated by a British aid organization
Team 6 - Deployed April 29 - May 13, 2022
NATAN’s 6th delegation leaves for Poland. Seen here, left to right: Pharmacist Alina Vaserman, Social Worker Natalia Grudsky, MD Vitali Alefir, Social Worker Alla Raiz, Head of Mission Amit Kahn, Social Worker Iris Nusenkis, RN Ira Shchupak, RN Alex Mezhirovsky, Social Worker Polina Kogan
All Hands on Deck - NATAN Clinic at Przemysl Refugee Center working at full capacity. Seen here: NATAN Team 6 medical and psychosocial professionals work together in the busy clinic.
NATAN and Hashomer Hatzair volunteers lead activities in the children's playroom at the Przemysl refugee center.
At Przemysl Refugee Center, Poland: NATAN Social Worker Polina Kogan speaks with a refugee on his way to a new home. The gentleman is a widower who fled Ukraine alone carrying just a tiny bag of personal belongings. He left his two sons behind: They are fighting with Ukrainian forces.
Many thanks to Katya Drusakova from the Topaz organization, Topaz Leading Social Innovations who conducted the workshop. The self-defense training gave these women back some of the power and dignity they have lost, renewed their strength and self-esteem. With the help of these workshops we give them strength to deal with the situation.
A transport organized and coordinated by NATAN of 4 disabled people and their family members. They are enroute to Germany in a special train where they can travel lying down. NATAN also coordinated the different facilities in Germany that will accept them. Transportation was aided by our partners, SSF - Rescuers Without Borders.
Head of mission Amit Kahn and Doctor Vitali Alefir with driver of German ambulance team that operates in Lviv and some of the equipment we were able to provide them.
Israel Independence Day at the Border: NATAN Worldwide Disaster Relief team members joined over 70 other Israeli and Jewish volunteers from all over the world to celebrate Israel’s Memorial Day and Independence Day. In this humanitarian crisis, the Israeli presence in Poland is impressive, with 10 Israeli NGOs, Hospitals and Movements having deployed teams of volunteers. The Independence Day event was held in a refugee reception tent managed by Israeli NGO SSF - Sauveteurs sans Frontières - Rescuers Without Borders.
Team 7 - Deployed May 11 - May 13, 2022
Team 7 Send-Off at Ben Gurion Airport Left to right: Head of Mission Stas Solomon Shamis, Social Worker Elizabeth Hazan Hatyanov, NATAN Chair Danny Kahn, MD Avital Abriel, Head of Psychosocial Team - Social Worker Orna Shemer, MD Vica Danylov, Social Worker Marie Lubnov, Social Worker Yaroslava Aron, RN Andriy Tkachyk RN Sigal Kadir Lewinstein, Social Worker Lena Rozen.
Team 8 - Deployed May 23 - June 6, 2022
This refugee arrived at the refugee center with no bag to carry her belongings. NATAN Social Worker Sveta Labunets quickly found a suitcase for her - and was rewarded with tearful thanks
NATAN Social Worker Polina Rudkovsky interacts with two small children at a refugee center near Przemysl, Poland
NATAN RN Genia Sternberg treats a refugee's foot wounds at the clinic in Przemysl Poland.
Team 9 - Deployed June 4 - June 18, 2022
NATAN's 9th team of volunteers is at work in Przemysl, Poland. Seen here are team members: Head of Mission Udi Cohen, RN Yael Aisner, Dr. Michael Alkan, Dr. Valeria Zayats, RN Yael Cnaani, Social Workers: Keren Fishzon, Marina Lantsburg, Olena Miroshnychenko, Ievgeny Miroshnychenko and NATAN's Head of Psychosocial Support Eitan Shahar
Team 10 - Deployed June 16 - June 30, 2022
Team 10 departs for Poland - L-R: Soc.Worker Liudmila Gubariva, Soc.Worker Tatiana Gur, RN Gudrun Seligsohn, RN Revital Burshtein, Soc.Worker Olga Yardelevski, Soc.Worker Maayan Garber
NATAN Social Worker Olga Yardelevski aids a Ukrainian family with a special needs son en route to Krakow, Poland for one night and from there on to a flight to Norway. Working together with the NGO Access Israel , NATAN was able to find specialized transportation solutions for this family.
A blind man who traveled alone from Kharkiv, Ukraine is helped at the refugee center by NATAN Social Worker Olga Yardelevski
Dr. Efy Halperin examines a young boy at the clinic
NATAN Team 10 volunteers completed their first full day of work in the medical clinic at Przemysl Refugee Center Front row: Maayan Garber, Gudrun Seligsohn, Revital Burshtein, Tatiana Gur, Liudmilla Gubariva, far right: Boris, local translator; crouched center front: Olga Yardelievski. Back row: Dr. Efy Halperin, Head of Mission Dudi Lifshitz
Gudrun Seligsohn treats a young boy's foot wounds at the medical clinic run by NATAN at the refugee center. Social Worker Tatiana Gur translates for a refugee inquiring about possible asylum in the UK
Team 11 - Deployed June 28 - July 11, 2022
Alice Silvestro, Medical Coordinator of INTERSOS in Poland.(center) seen here working closely with NATAN medical team: Doctors Garry Tzarfati, Alona Boukin, Danny Feldman, and Valeria Zayats at the clinic in Przemysl, Poland.
NATAN Dr. Garry Tzarfati treats a clinic patient with the Kinesio taping method for pain reduction.
Dr. Alona Boukin and RN Tamar Izraely Hasson treat a child in her mother's arms, members of Ukraine's Roma minority
Team 12 - Deployed July 9 - July 23, 2022
Team 12 upon arrival in Przemysl, Poland. Seen here L-R : Head of Mission Zeevik Shafir, Dr. Steven Greenfield, Dr. Jacek Linde, Social Worker Pavel Kagan, Social Worker Yasia Kagan, RN Noa Bernat, Social Worker Hila Geva , RN Faida Swaed, missing from this photo: RN Kristen Motley, Social Worker Ievgeny Miroshnychenko
NATAN nurse Faida Swaed treats a patient at the refugee center medical clinic.
A Finnish aid team arrived at the Przemysl center directly from the battle zone in Kharkiv. The team came for assistance, equipment and medical supplies. They received a briefing and guidance from NATAN’s Dr. Jacek Linde, who has had experience as a combat physician in the Israeli paratroopers’ brigade
Nurse Midwife Noa Bernat uses portable ultrasound equipment for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to assess the health of a mother and developing baby. Noa shows the mother’s older child her future sibling and lets her hear the heartbeat. A reassuring sight and sound
Social Workers Hila Geva and Evgen Miroshnychenko counseling a young refugee at the Przemysl transit center
Team 13 - Deployed July 21 - August 5, 2022
Team 13 takes the reins- Handover briefings at the refugee center in Przemysl.
Seen here, left to right: RN Genia Sternberg, RN Yarden Ifrah, Head of Mission Hezi Harpaz, Social Worker Shulamit Bar-Shay, MD Oren Scheffner, Social Worker Elena Rozen, RN Sabina Liebman, foreground: Social Worker Ronen Nazarov
NATAN Nurse Yarden Ifrah brings some joy to a child at the clinic.
NATAN Pediatrician Dr. Oren Scheffner treats a child at the clinic
Seen here, left to right: MD Oren Scheffner, RN Sabina Liebman, RN Yarden Ifrah, Social Worker Shulamit Bar-Shay, RN Genia Sternberg, Social Worker Ronen Nazarov Head of Mission Hezi Harpaz, Foreground: Social Worker Elena Rozen
NATAN Nurses Yarden Ifrah and Rutti Liebman at work in the clinic
Team 14 - Deployed August 3 - August 17, 2022
NATAN's Team 13 and Team 14 meeting for handover briefings as they prepare for the changing of the guards
Nurse Ofra Eshet brings a smile to the face of her young patient
Social Worker Marina Kosenkova and Dr. Cristiane Isabela de Almeida with a patient at the clinic
Team 14 Group photo: Back row L-R: Social Worker Tania Eitan, Social Worker Ornat Rabino, MD Cristiane Isabela de Almeida, Nurse Yarden Ifrah, MD Marcelo Dratcu, Medic Anna Tsviling, MD Paulo Tsuyoshi Sato, Social Worker Marina Kosenkova, Social Worker Natalya Perlov, Social Worker Ronen Nazarov; Middle row L-R: Nurse Ofra Eshet, MD Jerry Hersh, Nurse Michal Sade; Front: Head Of Mission Shahaf Pripaz
NATAN’s multidisciplinary team preparing for their shift at the clinic.
Medic Anna Tsviling treating a family
Team 15 - Deployed August 15 - August 29, 2022
Dr. Yechiel Arkin, Social Worker Victoria Shuster, Social Worker Katya Vainer, Dr. Stacene Maroushek, Social Worker Suzan Vekker, Nurse Hagit Salem, Head of Mission Daniel lluz-Freundlich
Partnerships and Collaboration
NATAN's Oded Regev presents gift of armored vests to Folkowisko's Marcin Wodzirej Piotrowski in front of one of the ambulances donated by NATAN
NATAN team members meet with peers from Folkowisko Association at the Przemsyl refugee center
NATAN Head of Mission Oded Regev speak with Przemysl Mayor Wojciech Bakun and Folkowisko's Basia Psiuk at humanitarian aid conference organized by Folkowisko, April 3, 2022.
L-R: NATAN MSW Olla Stepchenko, member of Polish Red Cross, NATAN Dr. Iryna Beylin, at a refugee center in Poland at the Ukrainian border
NATAN volunteer MD Simon Raskin (center) with volunteers of Polish Red Cross
UJA Federation of NY delegation of 18 NY Rabbis meet with local mayor on visit to Poland-Ukraine border, accompanied by NATAN Head of Mission, Mike Attinson
UJA Federation of NY delegation of 18 NY Rabbis on visit to Poland-Ukraine border, accompanied by NATAN team members
UJA Federation of NY delegation of 18 NY Rabbis travel to Poland bringing with them bags of life-saving medicines and medical supplies
UJA Federation of NY delegation of 18 NY Rabbis on visit to Poland-Ukraine border, receiving briefing by NATAN Head of Mission, Mike Attinson
Folkowisko's Marcin Wodzirej Piotrowski receives bag of medical supplies from UJA Federation NY delegation
NATAN social workers and volunteers from Hashomer Hatzair in the children's activity area at Przemysl refugee center
NATAN social workers and volunteers from Hashomer Hatzair in the children's activity area at Przemysl refugee center
NATAN team members together with members of Hadassah Hospital
NATAN Team Leader Mike Attinson with head of Hadassah Hospital's volunteer mission
NATAN team doctors, Albina Rotshtein and Dorit Nitzan and NATAN Logistics Manager Udi Cohen, together with members of Medical Poland and the Polish Red Cross at a refugee center in Poland at the Ukrainian border. 4-MAR-22
NATAN social workers Neta Haskin and Tali Prilutski (orange vests) at Women's Care Corner, organized together with volunteers from Spain in Przemysl refugee center
Cadena volunteer Andy Szydlo-Shein briefs NATAN social workers Tali Prilutski and Menny Malka at the Korczowa refugee center
NATAN Head of Mission Oded Regev speaks with Cadena’s Andrea Isita at the Medyka crossing on the Poland-Ukraine border
NATAN team members Menny Malka and HOM Oded Regev are briefed by Cadena volunteer at Medyka border crossing
NATAN team members Dr. Sharon Shaul and Dr. Dorit Nitzan are briefed by partners at Medyka border crossing
Moving Moments of Song
At the refugee center in Przemysl, Poland, Ukrainian refugee, Sveta, sings Ukrainian songs. One song is “Dearest Mother”, a song of longing for mother and motherland. The second song is in praise of Jerusalem. Sveta is singing to NATAN volunteers from Israel who were born and raised in the Ukraine. NATAN Ukraine Refugee Relief Operation - March 2022
