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Bulgaria
Bulgaria became a member of the EU in January 2007 and has been moving towards a market economy since the end of Communist rule.
Despite this move, with a population of 7.4 million people, it remains one of the poorest countries in the EU.
In 2014, Bulgaria saw a large increase in the number of Syrian refugees arriving via Turkey, its southern neighbour. MSF first worked in the country in 1981.
Staff story
Stuart Alexander Zimble, MSF country manager
“Though problems still remain, these [migrant reception] centres are a real example to the rest of Europe that authorities can and should mobilise to improve reception conditions for migrants. We hope that these improvements continue and that standards are maintained after the departure of MSF.”
MSF’s work in Bulgaria: 2014
During the 2013–14 winter, after seeing the terrible living conditions in reception centres, MSF started working in those worst affected: Vrezdevna and Voenna Rampa centres in Sofia.
In the Harmanli camp close to the Turkish and Greek borders. MSF teams provided medical, antenatal and psychological care, distributed aid and made improvements to buildings and facilities.
Over 5,500 outpatient consultations were carried out.
In May, after the authorities had increased their capacity and conditions had improved, MSF handed over the provision of medical and psychological healthcare services to the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees and other humanitarian organisations.
Find out more in our 2014 International Activity Report.
At the end of 2014, MSF had 16 staff working in Bulgaria. We first began working in the country in 1981.