Emergency in Ukraine - Immediate Relief Assistance

Soleterre began its intervention in Poland at the end of March 2022, just one month after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Now that one year has passed, our team of Italian and Ukrainian psychologists at Soleterre have organized more than 13,500 consultations for over 3,500 individuals.

Initially, Soleterre deployed a team to assist with refugees throughout the Podkarpackie and Lubelskie regions of Poland. The goal was to offer psychological and social support to the waves of Ukrainian refugees crossing the border to safety. Soleterre has been recognized as the sole reference point prioritizing mental health among assistance programs in the area. The team originally consisted of six Ukrainian psychologists and one cultural mediator to bridge the gap between teams working in Ukraine, in Italy, and amongst local partners in Poland. Working with mobile resources and online programs, the team was able to harness this hybrid style to expand their outreach and increase their overall impact on a wider range of communities.

With offices in Przemysl and Rzeszow, Soleterre offers free counseling programs for those in the general vicinity and encourages people to seek psychological support during their transition. The offices also act as a safe space for individuals to come and converse with others, share their stories and, for a brief moment, lift their spirits and lighten the weight of the trauma they are facing. This kind of communal therapy is tantamount for those who do not yet feel ready to engage in a more formal session but nonetheless are looking for some reprieve. Our therapy sessions are also flexible, incorporating both individual sessions and group activities depending on the need.

Through these headquarters, our team is able to establish relationships with local partners in Poland, especially among refugee shelters in the area, instilling a sense of continuity and trust. Since we are registered in Poland as a national non-profit organization, Soleterre partners with 15 local Polish and international organizations, including contacts in Italy and Ukraine. With these solid relationships in place, our team is able to transit from accommodation centers, transit centers, private houses, hospitals and private clinics, so that Soleterre can make a greater impact in the region. To achieve this mobility, Soleterre deploys 2 mobile units focusing on patients discharged from hospitals or other facilities, to provide support across 45 points of intervention.

Soleterre’s psychologists are not only engaging in-person with individuals throughout the regions of Podkarpackie and Lubelskie, but also across the country with the help of online resources. These online counseling sessions are key for our team to be able to reach those living in more remote areas. With this hybrid network in place, Soleterre firstly supports pre-established local efforts in addition to spearheading independent projects. Through these relationships, Soleterre is able to learn about children who are in particularly vulnerable situations and need specialized medical or psychological support. We can then organize for individualize assistance for their families and respond to their needs without delay.

As the war rages on in Ukraine, we are working to support local efforts and build international networks dedicated to helping those in need. We thank you for your continued generosity to our cause and we look forward to what the future holds. With your help, Soleterre is working to give support to children with cancer, everywhere.