site.btaSocial Minister: Social System on Front Line, in Full Mobilization

Apart from all the measures related to clearing of roads, restoration of power supply, the social welfare system is again on the front line and in full mobilisation as during the floods and hurricane winds in Northeastern Bulgaria, Social Minister Ivanka Shalapatova told bTV on Sunday evening.

Mobilisation is along several lines, she said. Firstly, social workers visit households in need, providing additional resources to municipalities for hot lunches, because in such situations this is a very important form of support.

Also through the Employment Agency unemployed people are mobilised to help in clearing the streets, in restoring normal order and life at the municipality level, and providing one-time assistance to households that because of the natural disasters really need urgent and adequate support, Shalapatova added.

In the coming days, the conditions of the Social Protection Fund will be examined, as many households need assistance and it has not been possible to allocate the corresponding funding so far, she said.

The Social Assistance Agency under the Labour and Social Policy Ministry receives and processes alerts for homeless citizens, the government press service said. The teams are assisting mayors who have expressed a need to bring homeless shelters into a suitable condition for the dire situation. The Interior Ministry is making rounds in all districts, inviting the homeless to take shelter, and coordinating efforts with the Bulgarian Red Cross and the Social Security Fund to provide warm food, blankets, and everything needed. They are also working with municipal hospitals in major cities to set aside rooms for homeless people trapped in the cold. Citizens are asked to report homeless people in need to 112.