The Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration is seeking closer cooperation with the Catholic Church to bolster local safety during crises and disasters.
Church-State Cooperation for Crisis Response
The Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) is pushing for collaboration with the Catholic Church, focusing on safety during crises. This includes organizing immediate material support and utilizing parish infrastructure as distribution centers or shelters in the event of natural disasters.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, along with MSWiA head Marcin Kierwiński, discussed cooperation in assisting populations affected by disasters with bishops at the Polish Episcopal Conference.
Caritas and Humanitarian Aid
The meeting was described as a key element in strategic dialogue regarding the use of all available state and social resources during crises, according to the MSWiA.
Discussions centered on exchanging experiences in providing humanitarian aid and coordinating logistics, recognizing the proven capabilities of Church-related organizations like Caritas Poland.
Parishes as Aid Centers and Shelters
The MSWiA views cooperation with the Church as a pillar for strengthening local security, particularly in providing immediate material support and potentially utilizing the dispersed parish infrastructure as natural shelters or aid distribution centers during disasters.
The ministry emphasized that this collaboration will be based on professionalism and mutual respect, with the primary goal of protecting the lives and health of citizens.
Role of the Church and Caritas in Aid System
Fr. Leszek Gęsiak, spokesperson for the Polish Episcopal Conference, assured that the Church would continue to support the population during crises, utilizing its base, technological resources, and international contacts in humanitarian efforts.
At the local level, Caritas diocesans handle humanitarian aid and disaster relief, while Caritas Poland operates at the national and international levels.
Public Preparedness and Safety Guidelines
The MSWiA also addressed concerns raised by an SWPS University expert regarding the lack of practical guidance from state institutions and media on how to behave during a threat. A 2025 study indicated only 25% of people felt prepared for such a situation.
Education and Safety Manuals
The MSWiA stated that alongside building institutional partnerships, it is conducting educational initiatives to translate theoretical knowledge into practical rescue skills. The “Safety Manual” distributed to households across Poland is considered the first step in a comprehensive strategy for building state resilience.
Upcoming educational activities will take the form of Universal Population Protection and Civil Defence Workshops, aiming to increase social resilience by preparing citizens to respond appropriately to threats.
Workshop Scope and Crisis Preparation
The workshops will cover practical elements of basic principles: crisis preparation, alarm signals, evacuation procedures, survival in prolonged threats, first aid, cooperation with protection agencies, aid efforts, and personal protective equipment.
The goal is to increase societal preparedness to respond to crises, with participants practicing evacuation procedures and preparing themselves and their families for 72 hours of self-sufficiency, as well as learning first aid.
Practical Training and Habit Building
The courses will be conducted as practical workshops with simulated conditions, allowing participants to overcome barriers and build confidence. The ministry aims to foster conscious habits, increasing social resilience and a sense of individual and collective security in local communities.
Regional Exercises and Service Preparation
Regional exercises in the area of population protection and civil defence are planned for completion by the end of the year, organized by voivodes (regional governors) who determine the scope and topic of the exercises. These exercises will target public services and administration.