Investing in Human Capital: Korea supports Ukrainian refugees in Poland

The Government of the Republic of Korea has announced a USD 15 million contribution to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian refugees in Poland and help them build self-reliance.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has become a frontline haven, welcoming millions fleeing the war and quickly providing protection, essential services, and access to work. Today, around one million Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children, remain in Poland. Many continue to arrive, including people escaping frontline and temporarily occupied areas, often with nowhere to return. Among them are older persons, people with disabilities, and those who have endured severe trauma or lacked the means to leave earlier.

“The resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people to rebuild their lives is truly remarkable,” said Kevin J. Allen, UNHCR Representative in Poland. “Thanks to the vital support from the Republic of Korea, UNHCR can continue investing in the human capital of Ukrainian refugees — from legal assistance and social protection to economic inclusion. These interventions deliver major benefits for Poland today and lay the foundation for Ukraine’s recovery tomorrow.”

UNHCR’s work in Poland aligns closely with Korea’s focus on inclusive development and capacity building. Korean support will help refugees gain skills, access jobs, and contribute to local economies, benefiting both refugees and host communities. By investing in employment and inclusion, these efforts strengthen local economies, social cohesion, and create opportunities for refugees to rebuild their futures.

“Poland’s steadfast support for those fleeing the war in Ukraine deserves sustained backing from the international community,” said H.E. Ambassador Tae Junyoul of the Republic of Korea to Poland. “We are proud to support UNHCR’s work to invest in refugees’ skills and legal certainty - strengthening human capital that benefits host communities today and will support Ukraine’s recovery tomorrow.”

In 2024, a USD 5 million contribution from the Republic of Korea enabled UNHCR Poland to provide direct support to refugees from Ukraine, with a focus on economic inclusion and access to employment, including assistance in finding jobs or starting businesses. The Republic of Korea remains one of UNHCR’s key partners, supporting forcibly displaced people worldwide and helping refugees rebuild their lives while fostering self-reliance, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.