Ruse Municipality will work together with UNICEF to protect vulnerable children

Wednesday, 14 June 2023

Today, the representative of UNICEF for Bulgaria, Christina de Bruyne, and the mayor of Ruse, Pencho Milkov, signed a memorandum of cooperation with UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund).

"This strategic partnership will enable UNICEF to support the most vulnerable children, including refugee and migrant children, and meet their immediate needs." The cooperation agreement is a continuation of the initiatives that UNICEF Bulgaria and the local authorities implemented in the past - development of services for alternative care in the process of closing the home in Mogilino, development of services in the community for mental health and psychological support for children and their families , as well as the first regional planning of social services that happened right here, in Ruse," said Christina de Bruin.

The proposal for the agreement was voted on in May by the municipal councilors. The goal is to implement joint activities and measures to meet the needs of refugee and migrant children and families in Bulgaria.

"The signing of the memorandum is a consequence of our previous excellent cooperation and, I would say, friendship with UNICEF. When the crises occurred - covid, refugee, Ruse Municipality did not act chaotically. In the first days, while we were taking care of people on the ground, we were also looking for the experience of the institutions and non-governmental organizations called to provide support in such situations. We also looked for UNICEF, that's where our idea came from to create the Crisis Center for unaccompanied foreign children and refugee children at risk," noted Pencho Milkov. The center is the only one of its kind in Bulgaria, and the representatives of the United Nations Children's Fund emphasized their desire for it to continue to develop and be a model for other Bulgarian municipalities.

Deputy Mayor Encho Enchev and Director of the Humanitarian Activities Directorate Katja Petrova expressed their appreciation for the high evaluation. At the end of May, for its work in support of children, the Municipality of Ruse was awarded the "Golden Apple" award by the National Children's Network.

Given the increased wave of refugees and migrants from countries such as Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and the illegal crossing of people across the borders of Bulgaria (a large part of them children, most often unaccompanied by their parents and relatives and placed at additional risk), UNICEF is taking action to implement and funding activities aimed at the protection and special protection of refugee and migrant children and their families.

With the memorandum, the Municipality of Ruse commits to cooperate with UNICEF in supporting the most vulnerable children with information and access to social services and inclusion, as well as protection from violence. Communication with competent authorities and official providers of social services on the territory of Ruse municipality will also be coordinated.

During its visit to Ruse, the representative delegation will also visit the former "Mother and Child" home, which houses several social services for children, as well as the Crisis Center itself for unaccompanied foreign children and refugee children at risk.

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