The Bulgarian government demonstrates exceptional responsibility and professionalism in building a systematic approach to protecting unaccompanied refugee children. This conclusion was emphatically stated during the presentation of a large-scale national project at the Council of Ministers.
According to Vice Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, the state is taking targeted actions to create alternative social services that guarantee dignified conditions for the most vulnerable migrants. The project unites the efforts of key institutions such as the State Agency for Refugees, international organizations, and local authorities.
Statistical data confirm the exceptional significance of the initiative. Bulgaria is among the seven European Union member states that have taken a serious commitment to protecting unaccompanied children. This fact is simultaneously considered a source of pride and a serious challenge.
During the presentation, representatives of the International Migration Agency, UNICEF, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as the mayors of Burgas, Malko Tarnovo, Ivaylovgrad, and Tundzha, who are directly involved in the pilot project, were congratulated.
Zafirov shared a personal experience from his March visit to the refugee center in Harmanli, where he met with UNICEF's representative for Bulgaria, Kristina de Bruyn. The key message was that care for every child must be real, not formal.
The government expert emphasized that the focus of state policy is on systematic and comprehensive measures. The main goal is to build an environment where every refugee child feels truly protected, supported, and understood.
The project represents a significant step towards humanizing migration policy, uniting the efforts of state institutions, municipalities, humanitarian, and non-governmental organizations.