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Medical NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has withdrawn from theÌýPolish- border after being denied access to the area to treat migrants and refugees by Polish authorities, the organisation said in aÌý Thursday.

MSF said it had been "repeatedly blocked" by from accessing the border region, where groups of are trying toÌýsurvive the cold winterÌýin dire humanitarian conditions.Ìý

"Since October, MSF has repeatedly requested access to the restricted area and the border guard posts in Poland, but without success,"ÌýFrauke Ossig, MSF emergency coordinator for Poland and Lithuania, said in the statement.Ìý

"We know that there are still people crossing the borderÌýand hiding in the forest, in need of support, but while we are committed to assisting people on the move wherever they may be, we have not been able to reach them in Poland."

Thousands of people have attempted to cross into the European Union on foot from Belarus since June 2021, through Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.ÌýThe European Union accusesÌýÌýinto the EU member states, in retaliation for the bloc'sÌýsanctions imposed on Minsk overÌýÌýcrushing of protests in Belarus.Ìý

In response, Poland has tightly controlled andÌýmilitarised its side of the border. Human rights watchdogsÌýhave accused both Poland and Belarus of against migrants.

Many of the migrants and refugeesÌýwho have triedÌýto cross the borderÌýhave gone into hiding because they fear they will beÌýpushed back illegallyÌýby Polish guards. They live inÌýthe forestÌýin extreme winter temperatures without food, water, shelter or warm clothes. MSF says at least 21 people died at the border in 2021. Ìý

"As long as impartial, non-governmental humanitarian groups cannot reach these people to provide them with water, food, warm clothing and medical care, the number of deaths will likely increase as temperatures continue to drop," MSF warned.