site.btaBulgarian NGOs Launch Project in Support of Protection Seekers

Bulgarian NGOs Launch Project in Support of Protection Seekers

Sofia, February 1 (BTA) - Non-governmental organizations will launch a project to support protection seekers in Bulgaria. Caritas Sofia, the Bulgarian Red Cross, the Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria and the Nadja Centre Foundation presented their activities at a BTA-hosted news conference on Monday.

The project will run for nine months and will assist third-country nationals that have applied for refugee status or subsidiary protection.

It will include 500 refugees placed in reception centres of the State Agency for Refugees in Sofia, Harmanli and Banya and private accommodation in the capital. They will be assisted with their rights and improving access to social and health services.

Ten social mediators will be appointed full time at the registration centres. Ivan Cheresharov of Caritas Sofia said that 80 people will be enrolled in elementary Bulgarian classes.

Data of the State Agency for Refugees show that in January 1,862 people sought asylum in Bulgaria. Twenty nine were granted refugee and humanitarian status and in 1,498 cases the proceedings were suspended as the people left the country.

Linda Awanis of the Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria said that many of the refugees who are granted humanitarian protection stay in the country. She added that her organization handled 1,695 refugees in 2015.