Westminster & Holborn Law Society August 2022

INTERNATIONAL

Krakow Bar Association’s debrief on the aid for Ukraine

The first 100 days of the war is already behind us and it is time to present you with a debrief of what we have done. What has started as a spontaneous impulse has turned into a complex operation.

Krakow Bar Association was coordinating a collective effort of our members working together with judges to host at our homes as many lawyer’s families as possible. This is a dynamic process, people are coming and going, some staying for a few days, others for weeks or months. We are looking for solutions on a case-by-case manner, taking into account factors such as number of people, children, domestic animals, etc.

At the site of the Krakow Bar Association, we have created a space for lawyers looking for cooperation opportunities on one hand, and for law firms open to work with Ukrainian lawyers on the other.

Krakow Bar Association focuses its efforts on humanitarian aid for Ukraine. We believe that this is what is mostly and urgently needed. We are collecting material supplies and financial contributions on a continuous basis.

Till now, our shipments with humanitarian aid reached not only Lviv, Rivne or Luck but also Charkiv and Mykolaiv which suffer from bombardments. We leave the question of distribution to local lawyers, having trust in their good judgement.

Two ambulances loaded with medical equipment and humanitarian aid have been successfully sent to Ukraine, the first to Mykolaiv, the second one to Rivne.

We have also acquired and delivered first Vacuum-assisted closure of a wound system with a set of accessories for two months, we are waiting for the second one. This is a highly sophisticated medical device for treatment of extensive wounds. We are looking for specialized clinics that could offer hands and legs prothesis and rehabilitation for patients who have lost their limbs.

Two ambulances more, which are intended for Charkiv and Winnica, have already been acquired and are in the process of preparation for the delivery (loading with humanitarian aid and medical equipment).

Our focus till now, was on bringing assistance in kind, i.e. shipments of food, medical supplies and last but not least ambulances. Now we are also trying to bring targeted financial assistance to the Bar Association of the Kyiv Region, whose many lawyers were domiciled in cities such as Bucha, Irpien, Borodianka and others, almost completely destroyed.

We believe that lawyers have a huge potential to bring aid. We count on you to join forces and to continue to make this humanitarian project possible.

With your engagement we are helping Ukrainian population and be doing so, we are empowering Ukrainian lawyers, who thanks to your solidarity are making a difference in their local community.

Ukraine Appeal

Financial contributions can be made to Krakow Bar Association:

Krakowska Izba Adwokacka, Batorego 17, 31-135 Kraków, POLAND

IBAN: PL65 1050 1445 1000 0090 3043 5714.

BIC (SWIFT): INGBPLPW

Sort Code: 105014 Bank: ING Bank Slaski S.A.

Transfer title: ‘Self-management of the Bar: Aid for Ukrainian Lawyers’.