During the ceremony, the head of Polish diplomacy Zbigniew Rau noted that the sense of community fostered by the House of St. Martin allowed for a tremendous mobilisation in the tragic conditions of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. “During the war, the issue of respect for human dignity has become even more important,” stressed Minister Rau.

The House of St. Martin began its activity by organising a modest youth centre, offering care for children with disabilities, preparing meals for the elderly, and building a football pitch. These projects brought together the local community, which became a pillar of the House’s activity and transformed it into a community of people that no longer live next to each other, but together and for each other.

Since the first moments of the Russia’s aggression that started on 24 February 2022, the House of St. Martin has been particularly involved in delivering humanitarian aid. It has been regularly organising collections and providing assistance to war zones and the internally displaced people. The volunterers of the St. Martin House also provide humanitarian aid in areas liberated from Russian occupation, where the humanitarian situation remains critical. Often, they are the only aid donors. The activity of the House of St. Martin is supported by the Polish embassy in Kyiv.

The organisation also helps those who lost their homes during the war. For instance, the organisation got involved in the construction of container houses, while its volunteers are helping to rebuild homes destroyed in Russian attacks.

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The Pro Dignitate Humana award has been conferred annually for 11 years by the Polish Foreign Minister to a private individual or a non-governmental organisation in recognition of uncompromising actions to defend the rights of repressed people and those at risk of repression and in recognition of a steadfast attitude in defence of individual rights and respect for human dignity.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson