SOME 11,000 – 12,000 MIGRANTS EXPECTED TO SEEK ASYLUM IN BULGARIA BY THE END OF 2015

On 29th of April, the police presence in “Voenna Rampa” refugee camp in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia was strengthened as refugees protested over what they perceived to be delays in status-gaining procedure. According to the Head of Bulgaria’s State agency for Refugees, Nikola Kazakov, the process has been facilitated and documents can be submitted in all centers, not just in one place. Kazakov took part in a seminar dedicated to migration and refugees.

For the time being, there is no refugee wave yet. The refuge agency describes the situation as increased migration pressure.

For the first quarter of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014, the number of refugees have increased by 60%. According to forecasts, around 11,000 to 12,000 people is possible to seek asylum in Bulgaria.

Currently, the refuge centres have accommodation capacity for 5,200 people and a possibility for 1,500 more. However, 73% of the capacity has already been filled.

Although the procedures for granting refugee status have been simplified, the integration of the refugees, including Bulgarian language training and finding employment, remain a problem.

Opening of new accommodation centres is not envisaged, but the refugee agency intends to enhance the living conditions in the existing ones.

Some 100 people per week seek shelter in the refugee centre in Harmanli in South Bulgaria. Currently, there are over 2,000 vacant places in it.

The refugees complain about the poor conditions in the bathroom and toilets, where dampness causes ceilings to crumble. The children do not receive the necessary medical care and refugees often buy medicines themselves. They also complain that food is not sufficient.

However, the main problem remains the slow procedure for status-granting, the refugees say.

The deadlines for processing of the documents have been shortened as much as possible and the officials are working extra time to handle the applications.

The refugee camp in Harmanli is preparing to host the new influx of refugees, the caravans are being cleaned and disinfected and the premises are being repaired.

Two newly equipped caravans will be purchased. They will have accommodation capacity for 600 people. The idea to buy caravans is to use them not only in one location, but to take them to places where they are needed.