COVID-19 Response: UNICEF Bulgaria Continues to Support Children and Families

Sofia,  July 2020 – UNICEF Bulgaria continues to support children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bulgarian Country Office received $100,000 from contributions at the global level in support of the Humanitarian Action for children to meet the growing needs of children and their families, especially the most vulnerable.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation that is and will continue to deeply affect children’s lives  and has exposed the deep inequalities that affect our societies and the fragilities in the state systems.

There is still great need to focus support for children’s social, physical, mental and emotional development, learning and well-being areas.

The received funds will be used for actions on infection prevention, improving access to health, education and protection, as well as risk communication and engagement with  a  on  where the needs are most acute.

UNICEF in Bulgaria is providing a multidimensional response in support of the most vulnerable children and families and so far during the COVID-19 crisis, the total value of UNICEF support is of $143,755 (BGN 250,996). UNICEF Bulgaria has delivered personal protective equipment including surgical masks, protective clothing and  goggles to the Ministry of Health.

We have also delivered 10 tonnes of supplies to over 40 municipalities. Hygiene and educational kits reached over 3,526 families with 9,448 children.

UNICEF Bulgaria is also working with partners to ensure access to distance learning, including to online education for the most vulnerable children.

In more than 20 municipalities, 40 educational mediators were supported to enable distance learning and the National Campaign “Donate Old Devices to a New Beginning”, initiated by Center Amalipe, received tablets to enable 400 children to learn remotely. In addition, refugee and migrant children were supported with tablets.