The National Network for Children Bulgaria is in communication with the government on measures to limit the risks to the life and future of Bulgarian children and their families. On March 30, 2020, they sent an open letter demanding specific urgent measures and actions by the government and state institutions. Unfortunately, the response received only summarized the partial measures and intentions already taken by the government. For this reason, the NNC have sent a new letter to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy seeking answers to the following questions:

  • Is a universal basic income envisioned for the poorest households during a state of emergency?
  • Will measures be applied to defer payments for household expenses and communications to families who have been unable to make them on time?
  • Is publicly available information being prepared that clearly and specifically describes all measures and procedures for different groups of families with children, what adequate help and support can they receive in specific terms and amounts, simplifying as much as possible the forms and requirements for the implementation of emergency measures?
  • Are there specific measures in place for quarantined families or in cases where parents need to be hospitalized, including who cares for the children in such circumstances?
  • Are there measures in place for socio-psychological support for children and families living in poverty and social exclusion, who rarely have access to the internet and do not have email, skype and viber, including on-site support via mobile teams?
  • Are specific support measures planned for children and young people with disabilities and associated diseases?

The NNC also drew attention to the fact that as of April 15, the total amount of funds donated to combat the pandemic and its consequences was approximately 28.8 million BGN, excluding European funds. Therefore, according to the organization, "there is a need to improve the coordination and active involvement of civil society organizations in the mechanism for ensuring transparency in the process by which these funds will reach the most needy." At the same time, the NNC note that the new Social Services Act is of even more importance now. The law will come into force on 01.07.2020 and aims for universal, more flexible and accessible social services for children and families who are in need.

Childhub

You might like..

yes
0
11
“When we started working in this field, returned migrants were not seen as a target group that would need support, and that everything in their lives had changed, and even more so there was no awareness that there were many vulnerable groups and…
yes
0
419
Collaborating with the European Council and the Norwegian government, in 2012, UNICEF compiled a report detailing the prevalence of violence in schools from a global perspective. The report offers several practical recommendations to governments,…
0
42
  United Nations in Albania has recently introduced the socio-economic response and recovery plan for Albania, finalize at the beginning of July 2020. The plan sets out the United Nations (UN) consolidated socio-economic recovery and response…
0
200
The National Network for Children Bulgaria shared an article about sexual violence in Bulgaria, the victims' inability to be heard, and the poor or non-existent sex education in the country. The article notes that in 2019, official statistics from…
0
180
A Long Absence: The effect of widespread economic migration on the people left behind Tempted by opportunities in Russia and the EU, one in three Moldovans have left the country to seek work. As communities back home struggle to cope with the exodus…
0
16
The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science has assigned a study of the effectiveness of activities based on interests conducted during the second academic term of the 2018/2019 academic year and during the first term of the 2019/2020…
0
14
The Bulgarian National Radio shared their interview with Radostina Antonova from the Know-How Center for Alternative Care for Children at NBU, discussing the process of deinstitutionalization in Bulgaria, the foundation of family-type…
yes
0
34
About the lecturer Darko Vujović, graduated economist, employed in the Chamber of Commerce of Sarajevo Canton in the position of director of the Center for Economic Development. Prior to the Sarajevo Canton Chamber of Commerce, he worked for…
0
31
The National Child Traumatic Network (NCTN) has published a list of measures that front line professionals can use to assess the exposure to trauma among the migrant and refugee families and children. Many of the tools are available in numerous…
0
1156
Transnational families are “families [where family members] live some or most of the time separated from each other, yet hold together and create something that can be seen as a feeling of collective welfare and unity, namely ‘familyhood’, even…
0
28
The Know-How Centre for the Alternative Care for Children, NBU, shared an announcement for the start of the admission process for the Master's programme Psycho-Social Interventions for Children and Families. Social services and support for children…
0
8
   A new CNN report highlighted the latest anti-Roma violence in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. Once known as a positive example of Roma integration, Bulgaria is now facing ethnic violence between the Roma community and ethnic Bulgarians.…
0
56
Mayors from the Plovdiv region in Bulgaria have taken the initiative of ensuring worksheets reach children with disabilities in order for them to participate in distance learning during the current pandemic. Katya Stoilova, who heads the…
0
26
The Department of Health and Social Work in Bulgaria have announced a new admission for the Master's Program in Psychosocial Interventions with Children and Families. The program aims to train future professionals and enhance the skills of…
0
6
The report has been developed as a panel study based on qualitative research techniques (focus group discussions and interviews) for gathering information that illustrate the diversity of crisis impacts within households and communities. .All four…