The journey comes to the end as we analyse the chapters of the book Faith in Action: A Decade of Compassion and Resilience with CADIS.
An opportunity to delve into each experience recounted directly by CADIS leaders who, over the course of a decade, have seen with their own eyes and touched with their own hands the fragility of the people they assist, in every corner of the earth.
Chapter Eight - Restoring Dignity, Building Resilience: A Case Study of CADIS Humanitarian Response to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis in Poland
CADIS Director, Fr. Aris Miranda, is the author of the last chapter of the book. During the webinar presentation, he focused on the beginning of CADIS intervention in Poland "When the conflict in Ukraine began, the displacement was immediate and overwhelming. We knew we couldn't act alone, so CADIS collaborated closely with the Polish Camillian Province. Our initial mission was fundamental: providing shelter, food, medical assistance, and the deep psychological support needed to process the trauma of sudden war. We wanted to ensure that those crossing the border felt safe and seen."
This chapter explores the strategic humanitarian response of Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which triggered a massive displacement of people into Poland. Returning to the site of its 2015 foundational assembly, CADIS implemented a multi-dimensional intervention designed to move beyond emergency aid toward long-term stability. By applying its 4R framework—Relief, Recovery, Resilience, and Rights—the organization addressed the immediate needs of refugees while simultaneously building pathways for their social and economic integration into Polish society.
The narrative highlights Poland’s unique position as a primary sanctuary, examining the country’s socio-economic landscape and its governance mechanisms for managing large-scale humanitarian influxes. Central to the chapter is the transformative power of a faith-based, community-centered approach. CADIS’ work is framed as a living application of Catholic Social Teaching, prioritizing interfaith collaboration and the active empowerment of refugees. Rather than viewing displaced persons as passive recipients of aid, the CADIS model treats them as partners in their own recovery, ensuring their dignity remains at the center of all operations.
Fr. Aris explained the success of the project: “We didn't want the families to remain in a state of permanent dependency. That is why we launched the Harna Working Space initiative. We recognized the agency of Ukrainian women refugees and provided them with professional training in beauty and hygiene services. This wasn't just a hobby; it was a path to self-sufficiency. The results were extraordinary. Harna evolved into a fully operational beauty parlor managed entirely by the refugees themselves. It became more than a business; it was a space where they could generate a sustainable income and reclaim their identity. Our approach was anchored in four core principles: integral human care, skills-based empowerment, accompaniment, and dignity-centered humanitarianism."
Today, all 72 refugee families involved in our program have secured their own apartments and are actively working in Poland. Furthermore, all 40 children are integrated and studying in Polish schools.
Harna serves as a powerful demonstration of how refugees can successfully transition from humanitarian dependency to active economic participation. It proves a vital lesson for the future: true resilience is built only when real opportunity meets consistent, compassionate accompaniment.
Concluding with a look toward the future, the chapter analyzes how this intervention serves as a replicable blueprint for global humanitarian efforts. In an era increasingly defined by geopolitical instability and climate-driven migration, the CADIS experience in Poland demonstrates that compassionate, strategic action can foster genuine social cohesion. By successfully transitioning families from shelters to independent living, the initiative offers critical lessons on how to build resilience in the face of modern, complex crises.
To learn more about this CADIS project, order a copy of the book in ENGLISH or ITALIAN.
All proceeds from sales will support CADIS projects around the world. Thank you!
