Lviv, Ukraine, April 2022

In April and May 2022, despite being responsible for Latin America, I was seconded to Ukraine to support my ECHO colleagues in scaling up the humanitarian response. Given my experience working in war zones, my Polish background, and my understanding of Ukrainian, I was asked to assist in the western part of the country, where relief efforts were being coordinated.

Crossing into Ukraine – A Journey into Uncertainty

Leaving Rzeszów, we travelled in an OCHA bus to the border. Seeing the long queues of cars—some leaving Ukraine, others returning—was a stark reminder of the reality of war.

The journey into Lviv was surreal—a beautiful city filled with history, yet living under the constant threat of attack. Upon arrival, the anti-rocket sirens sounded, a chilling introduction to life in a war zone.

Working in Lviv – Coordination and Crisis Response

My role in Lviv was to:
• Support the ECHO office, ensuring aid was effectively coordinated.
• Help partners re-focus their response from western Ukraine to the frontline regions, where needs were greatest.
• Visit shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs), where families fleeing the frontline sought refuge.
• Oversee logistics to make sure aid was reaching the people who needed it most.

Despite the grim circumstances, I was grateful to reconnect with old humanitarian colleagues, including Yorgos, whom I had worked with in South Sudan.

Living Through an Airstrike – Seeking Safety in a Bomb Shelter

One of the most intense moments of my mission was witnessing a rocket attack on Lviv. As the sirens blared, I ran to the bomb shelter, where I spent several hours with local Ukrainians.

What moved me the most was how, despite their own fears and hardships, they tried to look after me—a foreigner who had come to their country with humanitarian aid. Their kindness and resilience in the face of war left a deep impression on me.

Travelling Through Western Ukraine

Beyond Lviv, I also travelled to:
• Stryj – A town with a personal connection, as it is a twin city of Nowy Sącz!
• Korostov – A stop on the way to Uzhhorod, where I saw how rural communities were coping with the crisis.
• Uzhhorod – A key city near the Slovakian border, where I spent several days visiting IDP centres, meeting displaced families, and assessing humanitarian needs.

Returning to Poland via Slovakia – A Stop in Kosice

After completing my mission, I crossed the border into Slovakia from Uzhhorod. Before heading back to Poland, I stopped in Košice, where I had the opportunity to visit the EU Civil Protection warehouses. These facilities were playing a crucial role in supporting the humanitarian response in Ukraine, serving as a hub for essential supplies, logistics coordination, and rapid deployment of aid. Seeing the scale of operations reinforced just how massive and complex the relief effort was, and how critical international support remained in addressing the crisis.

Reflections on the Mission

This deployment was one of the most intense experiences of my career. The resilience of Ukrainians, the solidarity of the humanitarian community, and the immense scale of suffering were all deeply moving.

The war was not just about soldiers and frontlines—it was about ordinary people, families torn apart, and communities trying to survive against all odds. This mission reminded me why humanitarian work matters, and why we must never stop supporting those caught in conflict.

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Nowy Sacz, Poland, April 2022

In April 2022, I took a holiday to Poland and Romania—a wonderful trip filled with family time, exploration, and breathtaking landscapes. But while I enjoyed the journey, the reality of war in neighbouring Ukraine was impossible to ignore. I was preparing for my upcoming humanitarian mission to Ukraine, and everywhere I went, I saw the impact of the war on refugees and host communities.

Poland – A Return Home Before Deployment

My journey began in Kraków, and from there, I travelled to Nowy Sącz to spend time with Mum and family.

I visited my favourite places in town, as well as Stary Sącz, a historic town with a charming old square and monastery. Together with Mum and her friend, we also travelled to Łącko and Gołkowice, small villages known for their apple orchards and rural beauty.

A short trip took me to Warsaw, where I handled official matters—getting an apostille for documents needed for my Portuguese nationality process. Springtime in Warsaw was beautiful, with the parks in full bloom and a lively atmosphere in the Old Town.

After returning from Warsaw, I continued my explorations in southern Poland, visiting:
• Krościenko – A charming town in the Pieniny Mountains.
• Rożnów & Gródek nad Dunajcem – Beautiful areas by the Dunajec River and Rożnów Lake, perfect for quiet walks and admiring nature.

We then celebrated Easter in Nowy Sącz, a special and traditional time with family before setting off for Romania.

Road Trip to Romania – A Country in Transition

Together with Mum and her friend, Pani Kurzejowa, we embarked on a road trip to Romania, crossing through Slovakia and Hungary. In Slovakia, snow still covered the mountains, a striking contrast to the warmer spring weather elsewhere.

Our first stop in Romania was Lugasu de Jos, where we had our first Romanian meal, before continuing to our main destination—Cluj-Napoca.

Cluj-Napoca is a fascinating city, blending historic charm with modern energy. It was inspiring to see Romania’s transformation into a thriving European country, with a young and dynamic atmosphere, bustling cafés, and impressive architecture.

From Cluj, we visited:
• Cârțișoara & the Transfăgărășan – One of the most breathtaking mountain roads in the world. Though parts of it were still closed due to snow, the views of the Carpathian peaks were unforgettable.
• Sibiu – An incredible medieval city, with colourful houses, Saxon architecture, and a wonderfully preserved Old Town.
• Huedin – A town famous for its ornate Roma houses, an architectural style that reflects the rich culture and traditions of the Roma community.

The road back to Poland followed the same route, giving us one last chance to soak in the beauty of the journey.

Rzeszów – The Reality of War and a Meaningful Reunion

As my holiday ended, I travelled to Rzeszów, the main hub for humanitarian efforts supporting Ukraine.

Here, I witnessed firsthand the enormous flow of refugees fleeing the war. Ukrainian flags were everywhere, and people across Poland had opened their homes to those in need. In Rzeszów, I met with NGOs and EU Civil Protection teams, discussing the ongoing response and ways to support the displaced population.

One of the most special moments of my time in Rzeszów was meeting my amazing American friend, Aimee, who had just completed a short mission in Ukraine. Our reunion, though brief, was a reminder of the deep connections we form through humanitarian work. Even in difficult and sad times, having friends like Aimee to share moments with made the experience more meaningful and comforting.

A Journey That Reflected Two Realities

This trip was a mix of joy and heaviness—on one hand, the beauty of family time, discovering Romania, and celebrating Easter; on the other, the harsh reality of war just across the border.

Seeing the solidarity of people opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees was incredibly moving. As I left for my humanitarian deployment to Ukraine, I carried with me a renewed sense of purpose—knowing that while the world can be beautiful, it is also in desperate need of compassion and action.

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