Poland’s push-back policy leaves migrants facing an uncertain future as winter looms

A migrant from Somalia is examined by a medical worker from 'Medics at the Border' as he crosses the Belarusian-Polish border in Siemianowka, Poland October 25, 2021. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

Near SIEMIANOWKA, Poland (Reuters) - Somali migrant Abdi Fitah's bid to cross into Poland from Belarus ended with him barefoot and freezing after he lost his shoes in a river and wandered for days in the woods along the border.

The 23-year-old is one of thousands of people, including children, from the Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan who have tried to enter Poland from Belarus in recent weeks, with charities saying they face harrowing conditions on the border.