site.btaBulgaria Sends Relief Aid to Migrants in Macedonia

Bulgaria Sends Relief Aid to Migrants in Macedonia

Sofia, March 24 (BTA) - Two truckloads of relief aid left Sofia for Tabanovce transit centre near Kumanovo in Northern Macedonia early on Thursday. The donation of food and mineral water provided by the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) and local companies was suggested by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.

About 1,500 migrants and refugees are blocked at the transit centre.

Anzhelina Toteva, head of Borissov's political cabinet, who is coordinating the donation, said: "Sending this humanitarian aid is an expression of the solidarity of the Prime Minister and the State with people in dire need."

The government has been closely following the situation in the neighbouring countries and will continue to provide aid according to its ability if needed, said Toteva.

The donation was agreed in a telephone conversation between Borissov and Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov last week. The two also agreed joint measures to enhance control along the common border and crack down on illegal migrant trafficking.

This is the third shipment organized by the Council of Ministers. The first one was to Hungary. The second shipment, which also included blankets, pillows and tents, went to Greece last week, said Nikolay Velichkov, Head of Logistics at the BRC.