(19 Mar 2022) Hoping to restore at least some normalcy after fleeing the war in Ukraine, thousands of refugees on Saturday waited in long queues at the National Stadium in the Polish capital Warsaw to receive local identification numbers that will allow them to get on with their lives - if only temporarily.
Refugees started queuing by Warsaw's National Stadium overnight to get the coveted PESEL identity cards that will allow them to work, live, go to school and get medical care or social benefits for the next 18 months.
Still, by mid-morning, many were told to come back another day, the demand was too high even though Polish authorities had simplified the process.
Many of the Ukrainian refugees at the stadium spoke highly of their treatment in Poland.
One, 40-year-old refugee Natalia Hrynko, is volunteering to help her compatriots sign up for their PESEL, even though she cannot herself, having come via Romania.
Poland has so far taken in more than 2 million refugees from Ukraine - the bulk of more than 3.3 million people that the United Nations says have fled since Russia invaded on Feb. 24.
Hundreds of thousands more have also streamed into other Ukrainian neighbours of Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Romania.
Most of the refugees fleeing Ukraine have been women and children, because men from 18-60 have stayed behind to fight and are forbidden from leaving the country.
Polish authorities said more than 123,000 refugees have been given the ID numbers - including more than 1,000 each day in Warsaw - since the program was launched on Wednesday.
State and local administration officials have added scores of application points and advanced technical possibilities to meet the huge demand.
Refugees can receive one-time benefit of 300 zlotys ($70) per person and a monthly benefit for each child under 18 of 500 zlotys ($117).
Those who find jobs will have to pay taxes on their earnings just like Poles.
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