Nastya Podorozhnya seeks to maintain Ukrainian refugee support as Polish funding and international aid begin to decline.
Nastya Podorozhnya founded Martynka, a helpline and support group in Poland dedicated to helping female Ukrainian refugees escape gender-based violence. While the country initially welcomed 3.5 million refugees with open arms, funding for these groups is now drying up as international donors shift their attention to other global crises. Podorozhnya notes that while the Polish government has begun to scale back aid, the war in Ukraine remains ongoing and potentially more deadly. The administration has defended the decision to reduce support, stating that many refugees have stabilized their situations. However, anti-Ukrainian sentiment is also rising in Poland, with politicians using the shift to their advantage. Martynka provides essential services including medical care, psychological support, and housing for over 100 women and children. Podorozhnya emphasizes that the organization fills a gap left by the state, preventing refugees from becoming homeless or struggling with substance abuse due to a lack of resources.