Bulgaria will support children and families seeking refuge from the military conflict in Ukraine. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative to the Republic of Bulgaria. The two noted the long-standing fruitful partnership and the good results achieved in the process of deinstitutionalisation of child care, as well as in the introduction of early childhood development services in Bulgaria.
The Head of State underlined Bulgaria's readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees from Ukraine, while creating opportunities for Ukrainian children to continue their education in Bulgarian schools and kindergartens and for their adult relatives to join the labour market in Bulgaria. The President expressed his gratitude to the Bulgarians who opened their homes to our compatriots from Ukraine and to the Ukrainian citizens. I am convinced that we will do whatever is necessary as a state and as a nation to offer good living conditions to the children from Ukraine and their parents, Rumen Radev said.
Christina de Bruin highlighted UNICEF's actions to support children in war-affected regions of Ukraine, as well as families, women and children fleeing the conflict. UNICEF estimates that some 1,000,000 children have fled Ukraine since the start of hostilities, and the organisation stands ready to step up its support for the countries to which refugees are heading.
The two also discussed the development of policies for children and families in Bulgaria, the protection of children's rights, and the key role of education for the full integration of vulnerable children. The presidential institution will continue to support policies for disadvantaged children and adolescents, Radev stressed.
Christina de Bruin noted the importance of the new Partnership Programme between UNICEF and the Bulgarian government for the period 2023-2027. According to her, it will focus on early childhood development and support for parents, ensuring children's rights and protection, social inclusion, as well as the full participation of children and young people to use their potential and their integration into society. The Head of State made mention of the efforts of the institutions to establish the rule of law in Bulgaria, which would radically change the social environment, promote economic growth and create much more attractive conditions for the life and development of young Bulgarians.