Bulgaria changed its mind: Ukrainians were again allowed to stay in hotels
Currently, about 11,000 refugees from Ukraine live in Bulgaria. According to the decision of the country's government, from November 15 Ukrainians were planned to be resettled from hotels to state recreation centers. However, our fellow citizens opposed this, because most of them had already integrated in their regions of residence: children began to attend schools and register with doctors. A change of residence would be a new stress for refugees, especially for children.
Another important factor why Ukrainians refused to move is living conditions. The premises of the bases to which the authorities planned to resettle Ukrainians were built during the times of the USSR. The condition of the premises was unknown to human rights defenders. It was also not reported whether social infrastructure was located nearby - hospitals, schools, etc.
Protests of Ukrainian women in Bulgaria
A few days before the date of eviction, Ukrainian women took part in the protest "In defense of the rights of Ukrainians in Bulgaria". The events took place in several resorts of the Black Sea coast - Varna, Kranevo, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Bansko, Primorsko.
Also, Ukrainian women sent more than 20 requests to the Bulgarian authorities, in which they asked government representatives to let them live in hotels until a real plan for the integration of refugees is ready. In case of refusal, they promised that they would complain to the EU authorities. Such actions of Ukrainian women in social networks were compared by some to the Maidan.
The decision of the Bulgarian authorities
On November 12, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria, Ivan Demerdzhiev, announced that the Bulgarian authorities had reconsidered the issue and decided to leave the refugees from Ukraine in hotels for another 4 months. However, upon arrival, the new refugees will first be settled in a single temporary center in the city of Yelhovo, and then, within 30 days, they will be transferred to state bases, where cosmetic repairs are promised.
We previously talked about the rules for obtaining temporary protection and financial support for Ukrainians in Bulgaria.
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