24 August marks six months since the start of the war in Ukraine, which triggered the largest displacement within Europe since the Second World War.

Six months into the full-scale war, it is now estimated that 6.6 million Ukrainians have fled the country, and an additional 6.6 million are internally displaced within the country. This represents a displacement of nearly one-third of the country’s population, making it one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today. It is estimated that there are now more than 17.7 million people, representing nearly one-quarter of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance.

According to the latest official statistics, Bulgaria currently hosts more than 85 000 people, fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, including more than 39 000 children. A big percentage of these people are  vulnerable individuals such as elderly people, people with disabilities or chronic diseases, solitary mothers etc.

In realisation of its project "Emergency response for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine" project, financed by the Migrant and Refugee Fund (MRF) of the Development Bank of the Council of Europe (CEB) we continue to supporting those displaced by the war.

As more than 20 000 citizens of Ukraine are currently accommodated in hotels on the Black Sea coast in the regions of Burgas and Varna, IOM Bulgaria has operational response units in the two regions. 

One of the spots where our response units in Varna actively operate is the Zheleznichar rest home in Golden Sands Resort. The place has become a temporary home to especially vulnerable individuals, many of which are in dire need of medical assistance and financial support.

Through our cash-based intervention (CBI) program, IOM Bulgaria conducts vulnerability screenings and provides one-time financial support in the form of pre-paid cards. Often the beneficiaries of this scheme also receive other forms of support such as access to social and healthcare services.

So far, the IOM Bulgaria team has provided assistance to more than 650 people displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.