Bulgaria extends support program for Ukrainian refugees until 2025

That’s according to The Sofia Globe, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that the assistance scheme, invving state payments towards accommodation, was first put in place in 2022 by the Bulgarian government headed by Kiril Petkov, in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine that triggered a flow of millions of refugees.

The current aid scheme, which was extended by successive interim governments appointed by Bulgarian President Roumen Radev, was due to expire on July 31, 2024.

Read also: Over 190,000 Ukrainians employed in Germany – Labor Ministry

It is now known that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, 2,454,748 Ukrainians have entered Bulgaria.

A total of 181,868 individuals have been registered by Bulgaria under the EU’s temporary protection scheme. A total of 55,302 individuals remain in Bulgaria. In turn, a total of 6,081 are accommodated through the state scheme.

As Ukrinform reported, the employment rate of Ukrainian refugees in Estonia has increased by 10% over the past year. During the first quarter of this year, the government disbursed 7 million euros in financial assistance to refugees, while the number of individuals requiring support declined.