---
title: "Ukrainian refugee shelter in Poland faces funding and hostility challenges"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ukrainian-refugee-shelter-in-poland-faces-funding-and-hostility-challenges"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ukrainian-refugee-shelter-in-poland-faces-funding-and-hostility-challenges"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ukrainian-refugee-shelter-in-poland-faces-funding-and-hostility-challenges.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ukrainian-refugee-shelter-in-poland-faces-funding-and-hostility-challenges"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-08-25T10:45:47.497Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-25T05:06:02.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-25T10:45:47.497Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T10:30:51.526674+00:00"
---

# Ukrainian refugee shelter in Poland faces funding and hostility challenges

*A Krakow-based organisation supporting women fleeing gender-based violence is struggling amid rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to a named body, and two independent outlets are cited.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The reporting includes quotes from affected individuals and mentions what happens next.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- A shelter in Krakow, Poland, called Martynka, which supports Ukrainian women refugees escaping gender-based violence, is struggling to secure funding.
- The organisation, founded by Nastya Podorozhnya, has hosted more than 100 women and children since the war in Ukraine began.
- Calls for donations for Martynka often result in online abuse directed at Ukrainians.
- Rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland is linked to political exploitation of refugee issues and historical grievances.

Martynka, a helpline and support group in Krakow, Poland, founded by Nastya Podorozhnya, is facing difficulties in maintaining its operations. The organisation provides assistance to female Ukrainian refugees who have fled gender-based violence. Since its inception, Martynka's shelter has provided refuge to over 100 women and children.

Podorozhnya established Martynka in the early days of the war, anticipating that Ukrainian women accepting help from strangers might be vulnerable to exploitation. While initial fundraising efforts were successful, international donors have since shifted their focus to other global crises. The organisation now struggles to raise sufficient funds to remain open.

In addition to funding challenges, Martynka and its founder face online abuse. Podorozhnya stated that calls for donations frequently trigger a torrent of online attacks directed at Ukrainians. This hostility is occurring within a broader context of increasing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland.

## Divergent accounts of refugee economic contribution

The Associated Press reported that a Deloitte study estimated Ukrainian refugees contributed 2.7% of Poland’s gross domestic product in 2024. This report also noted that by the end of 2022, over 70% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland had found employment. Other reports, however, did not include this specific economic data.

## Omissions

None of the left-rated digests mention the Deloitte study estimating that Ukrainian refugees contributed 2.7% of Poland’s gross domestic product in 2024. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific figure of 180 Ukrainian citizens being victims of prejudice-motivated crimes by mid-July. The single right-rated digest does not mention the Deloitte study or the figure for prejudice-motivated crimes.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 24 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 50% (12)
- Centre: 46% (11)
- Right: 4% (1)

0 of 24 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T10:30:51.526674+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T11:00:17.479Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the challenges faced by Martynka and its founder, Nastya Podorozhnya. They highlighted the organisation's struggle for survival due to drying funding and rising hostility towards Ukrainians. These reports noted that Podorozhnya founded Martynka to protect female refugees from gender-based violence and human traffickers. The digests in this section frequently mentioned that calls for donations trigger online abuse and that the shelter has hosted over 100 women and children. The Associated Press full report, carried by this side, detailed the increasing anti-Ukrainian rhetoric and mentioned that 180 Ukrainian citizens were victims of prejudice-motivated crimes by mid-July. It also included a quote from Prime Minister Donald Tusk stating, 'we must wage war on violence and hatred.'

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports also highlighted the difficulties faced by Martynka, including funding shortages and increased hostility towards Ukrainian refugees. These digests frequently stated that Nastya Podorozhnya founded the support group for women escaping violence and that the Krakow shelter has assisted more than 100 women and children. Some digests mentioned that calls for donations often lead to online hate directed at Ukrainians. The Associated Press full report, carried by this side, provided details on the economic contributions of Ukrainian refugees, citing a Deloitte study estimating a 2.7% GDP contribution in 2024, and noted that over 70% of refugees found employment by the end of 2022.

### Right

- The single right-rated digest mentioned that a Ukrainian migrant in Poland has faced online hate despite her efforts to help others. It also stated that Nastya Podorozhnya founded a support group called Martynka for Ukrainian women escaping violence and that the shelter in Krakow has helped more than 100 women and children.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 1
- high: 16
- unknown: 2
- veryHigh: 5

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as a
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/25/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/europe/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_02bea79d-63dc-5888-b523-dc264af973a1.html) — A women’s shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_7eeb3999-d992-5bbd-a1ee-78e2ea72f31e.html) — A women’s shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_bcb26dba-2206-5bb3-9e5d-04844b94e782.html) — A women’s shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [WellandTribune.ca](https://wellandtribune.ca/business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_35f48bc3-6eaa-546c-93fa-be6df671709b.html) — A women’s shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises) — A women’s shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/poland-krakow-russia-data-donald-tusk-b3038606.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/poland-ukraine-women-refugees-war-discrimination-fe6ce57b628e01799c3a76b18932f298) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/poland-krakow-russia-data-donald-tusk-b3038606.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Enid News & Eagle](https://enidnews.com/region/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_83c7a540-c364-5c3e-bfc8-ee62e3af9a39.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Audacy](https://audacy.com/knss/news/world/poland-ukraine-women-refugees-war-discrimination-fe6ce57b628e01799c3a76b18932f298) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Cecil Daily](https://cecildaily.com/ap/world/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_da733aa0-0151-5e0d-97e9-998bdee73fd5.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Beckley Register-Herald](https://register-herald.com/region/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_e92fb10a-7e74-503b-9dc7-3d30c8716e29.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [WFMZ](https://wfmz.com/news/ap/ap-business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_3a1c8c79-4bc3-5474-89e7-4bfe4743e414.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Post Register](https://postregister.com/businessreport/healthcare/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_e69b2cc5-eb90-5f8c-8e61-d660af591810.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/business/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_be7c9771-28ce-541b-a508-bc0d6792f1fa.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [mykxlg.com](https://mykxlg.com/news/world/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_7fef5a86-175a-59b0-aafe-87a06b2f9fe7.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/world/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_820bbd06-3058-529f-ae78-839341940622.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [Idaho State Journal](https://idahostatejournal.com/news/world/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_362b6b8e-0f05-54de-85cf-eb1fbd710fbe.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises/article_bdcc5a8b-c9ee-54f6-a133-18615e54d46b.html) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [abc News](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/womens-shelter-refugees-poland-fights-survival-anti-ukrainian-135926421) — A women's shelter in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/world/2026/08/25/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises
- [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/world/2026/08/25/a-womens-shelter-for-refugees-in-poland-fights-for-survival-as-anti-ukrainian-sentiment-rises) — A women's shelter for refugees in Poland fights for survival as anti-Ukrainian sentiment rises

## Questions

**What is Martynka and what does it do?**

Martynka is a helpline and support group founded by Nastya Podorozhnya for female Ukrainian refugees in Krakow, Poland, who are escaping gender-based violence. The organisation's shelter has hosted over 100 women and children, assisting them with escaping abusers and accessing essential services.

**Why is Martynka struggling to stay open?**

Martynka is facing challenges due to drying funding from international donors, who have shifted their attention to other global crises. Additionally, the organisation is experiencing increased hostility and online abuse directed at Ukrainians, making fundraising efforts more difficult.

**How has anti-Ukrainian sentiment risen in Poland?**

Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland has intensified, partly due to politicians exploiting anti-refugee sentiment for political gain and the resurfacing of historical grievances between the two countries. This has led to increased hostile conversations and attacks against Ukrainians.

**What is the economic impact of Ukrainian refugees in Poland?**

According to a Deloitte study cited in some reports, Ukrainian refugees contributed an estimated 2.7% of Poland’s gross domestic product in 2024. By the end of 2022, over 70% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland had found employment.

---

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