site.btaNational Operational Headquarters Proposes One-Month Extension of Humanitarian Protection of Displaced Persons from Ukraine

The National Operational Headquarters, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, has proposed to the Council of Ministers that the Programme for Humanitarian Support of Displaced Persons from Ukraine who are Temporary Protection Beneficiaries in the Republic of Bulgaria be extended by a month, until May 1, 2025, the Government Information Service said on Monday.

During this extended period, Ukrainian nationals in need will continue receiving humanitarian support under differentiated conditions based on their type of accommodation.

The extra month will allow authorities to finalize a new programme aimed at building upon the existing support system through an integration-based approach. The primary goal is to facilitate the long-term social and economic inclusion of displaced Ukrainian nationals in Bulgaria, the press release said. The development and implementation of the new programme will involve key institutions, including the Labour and Social Policy Ministry, the Education and Science Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, and the Interior Ministry. International and non-governmental organizations will also play a role, providing legal, psychological, and social support to displaced individuals.

Further details on the new programme’s framework will be announced once it is approved by the Council of Ministers.

The Programme for Humanitarian Support of Displaced Persons from Ukraine who are Temporary Protection Beneficiaries in the Republic of Bulgaria will expire on March 31. It provides support through accommodations entered in the Register of Shelter Places, created for the purpose of implementing the programme, as well as through state-owned, municipal, and public enterprise facilities. Support is also available in places of accommodation listed in the National Tourist Register and in facilities approved by the National Operational Headquarters, according to the website of the State Agency for Refugees at the Council of Ministers.