site.btaUPDATED Government Extends Support for Ukrainian Refugees, Provides Accommodation

The caretaker Government has decided to extend support to the citizens of Ukraine, caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev said during a Council of Ministers briefing on Monday.

"Assistance will continue through accommodation [of the citizens of Ukraine] in government facilities. We have provided the necessary places and facilities for this. A 15-day deadline will be given, by the middle of the month, for people who are in hotels to be moved to suitable government accommodations. The reason for this decision lies in the fact that this is the EU practice. Only Bulgaria and two other countries, Cyprus and Ireland, grant such protection for an unlimited period of time. The window of time for which this protection is granted has long been closed," Demerdzhiev said. 

Cabinet adopted on Monday changes to the programme for humanitarian assistance to displaced person from Ukraine by providing temporary asylum in Bulgaria. According to the changes, the programme is extended until November 15, 2022, the Council of Ministers reported later in the day. The new accommodation will take place on state-owned and municipal facilities. 

Over BGN 500 million have been spent on providing assistance to asylum seekers from Ukraine in Bulgaria, of which BGN 200 came from the State budget and around BGN 300 million from restructuring of EU programmes and funds.