On World Humanitarian Day, UNICEF Bulgaria presents a report on the organization's work in 2024

It was a difficult time to be a child in the world in 2024 – conflicts, climate emergencies and natural disasters continued to be calamitous for the realization of children’s rights. The world in 2025 continues to be one of significant political shifts and volatility, economic uncertainty and deepening humanitarian crises.

We have, however, also seen remarkable strength and resilience of children and the power of global solidarity!

Аcross more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF is there, reaching and uplifting the lives of millions of children– even in the hardest-to-reach places.

Thank you for standing with us. Because of the compassion and commitment of our partners and supporters, millions of children around the world are growing up stronger, healthier, and filled with hope.

Because no matter how complex the world becomes, we never give up, for each and every child.

In Bulgaria, this mission is a shared journey. Together with the Government and local authorities, UN agencies, international partners, EU institutions, non-governmental organisations, media, academia and corporate partners, UNICEF continued to invest in and support various programmes and models of services for all children and families with a special focus on the most vulnerable – children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, children with disabilities, children at risk of family separation, victims of violence, children without access to education, children in contact with the law, Roma children from marginalized communities, refugee and migrant children, including unaccompanied children and children separated from their families.

UNICEF has partnered with line ministries, municipalities, local communities and corporate partners to develop innovative services such as “Zona ZaKrila” model - child protection and prevention services for children and families who have experienced violence; home visiting for families with young children; early childhood intervention services for children with developmental difficulties; mobile teams for community work; school’s programmes for prevention of violence; safe zone for unaccompanied children and many more.

Over the last year, UNICEF’s work in Bulgaria has reached thousands of children:

-           Our Child Protection programmes supported over 15,000 children and adolescents;

-           The Education programmes supported over 25,000 children and adolescents;

-           80,000 young children and mothers were reached through our Early Childhood Development programmes;

-           Over 30,000 refugee children and families have found support through UNICEF’s various efforts;

-           And more than 10, 000 young people were empowered to lead, learn and shape their futures through various initiatives.

These are not just numbers. Our joint efforts have contributed to real progress and lasting change in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in Bulgaria. They are the result of tireless collaboration between dedicated colleagues, local and international communities, committed government, media, academia, every single individual donor and corporate partner.  It is deeply inspiring to witness this work in action and to see what is possible when we come together for every child.

Thank you!

Christina de Bruin

UNICEF Bulgaria Representative

Detailed results of UNICEF Bulgaria's activities over the past year can be found in the 2024 Annual Report here.